T r e e s  o f  N o r t h  C a r o l i n a

Cercis L. (Fabaceae)

A genus of about six to ten species of trees; of north temperate areas. Apparently the basalmost (evolutionarily the earliest diverging) extant genus in the Fabaceae

One species occurs in North Carolina, Cercis canadensis (Redbud). It is considered native.

Bark of Cercis canadensis
Bark of Cercis canadensis (Copyright W. Cook)
Twig of Cercis canadensis
Twig of Cercis canadensis (Photo: A. Krings, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Leaves of Cercis canadensis
Leaves of Cercis canadensis (Copyright W. Cook)
Flowers of Cercis canadensis
Flowers of Cercis canadensis (Copyright W. Cook)
Fruits of Cercis canadensis
Fruits of Cercis canadensis (Copyright W. Cook)
N.C. distribution of Cercis canadensis
N.C. distribution of Cercis canadensis

Cercis canadensis (Redbud)
(Common [uncommon in Mt]; moist to dry forests and woodlands, especially over calcareous or mafic rocks, also commonly planted as an ornamental; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Mar-May, Fr: Jun-Nov)