Common Name: Eastern Redbud
Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Eastern North America
The state tree of Oklahoma, the Eastern redbud, grows to a height of around 20-30 feet. They are a small tree that has a rather rounded crown and readily grows multiple trunks. The tree has heart-shaped leaves and is usually found in the understory of the canopy in its natural habitat. One of the most noteworthy characteristics of the Eastern redbud is its edible pink to purple-colored flowers which bloom in the early spring before the foliage emerges. As the flowers are pollinated, they form long flattened seed pods which grow to around 2-4 inches long.