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Texas Redbud Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cercis occidentalis
  • Cercis orbiculata
  • Cercis reniformis
  • Ceris canadensis var. texensis
Phonetic Spelling
SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis teck-SEN-sis
Description

Texas redbud is a flowering, deciduous, multi-stemmed small tree in the bean family (Fabaceae). As the common name implies, it is native to central Texas up to southern Oklahoma. In the wild, plants generally appear singly, but they can form groups or thickets in riparian areas. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver's shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver's shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom.

Texas redbud grows best in full sun to partial shade and on thin, calcareous, well-drained soils. It can grow in any type of soil as long as it is not acidic and is well drained, even occasionally dry. Reaching 25 to 30 feet in height and 15 to 25 feet in width, it is smaller and more drought tolerant than its eastern relative. In North Carolina, plant the eastern North America subspecies, as it is better suited to our hot humid summers. Propagate Texas redbud by seed. 

It has showy, dark wine-red flowers that appear on bare stems in early spring and attract pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The seed pods are a food source for songbirds. Plant the tree as a specimen in a pollinator, butterfly, children’s, or drought-tolerant garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to caterpillars and scales. Crown rot, phytophthora, and root rot can also be a problem. It is resistant to armillaria. This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer.

 VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

 

More information on Cercis canadensis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Oklahoma', 'Texas White', 'Traveller'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#nectar plant#flowering tree#specialized bees#edible seeds#screening#pollinator plant#nesting sites#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Oklahoma', 'Texas White', 'Traveller'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#nectar plant#flowering tree#specialized bees#edible seeds#screening#pollinator plant#nesting sites#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cercis
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    A fluid extract can be taken from the bark which is an active astringent used in the treatment of dysentery.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Oklahoma south to central Texas
    Distribution:
    OK, TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Nectar attracts pollinators such as butterflies, bumblebees, and orchard mason bees. It provides nesting materials for specialized bees. The leguminous seed pods are consumed by birds. Members of the genus Cercis support the following specialized bee: Habropoda laboriosa. Larval host to Henrys Elfin butterfly.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The flowers are fried in Mexico. The flowers are acid and are sometimes pickled for salads. The nectar is of some value as a source of honey.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    2- 4 inches long flattened seedpods with pointed ends, may remain on the tree into winter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch wide pink to purple pea-shaped flowers in clusters of 4-10 grow from the bark and are very showy from March to April before the foliage appears.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4-8 inch by 2-4 inch thick glossy leaves heart to kidney shape without the pointed apex of the Eastern Redbud. The margins are wavy and undersides have some hairs. Yellow fall color is showy.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought