birdandhike.com logo
Home | Vegetation | Plants Index | Trees
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Trees Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Blooming redbud

General: California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) is a medium-sized, many branched subtree most often found along washes. In early spring, redbuds become covered with purplish, pea-like flowers before the leaves bud out. The flowers produce pods similar to snow peas. The seed pods turn reddish brown and stay on the tree into the winter, long after the summer leaves drop.

California Redbud is found along washes and on hillsides in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) and Transition (Yellow Pine Forest) life zones.

Family: Legume (Fabaceae).

Other Names: Judas tree. Formerly Cercis occidentalis.

California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Leaf (heart-shaped)

Plant Form: Medium-sized, spindly, many branching subtree.

Height: 15-20 ft.

Trunk: Short, many branches.

Bark: Gray

Stems: Many upright branches.

Leaves: Simple, thick, and rounded or heart-shaped; glabrous, 7 to 9 prominent veins; alternate; 4-inches long, deciduous. Petiole about 3/4 inch.

California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)

Flowers: Bloom in the spring. Purple pea flowers. Inflorescence: 2 to 5 flowers. Flowers bilateral (typical pea flowers), appearing before leaves, purple to pink.

Seeds: Bean-like seeds produced in snow-pea-like pods; pods 2-3 inches long.

Habitat: Washes.

Elevation: Near sea level to about 5,000 feet.

Distribution:

Comments:

California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Redbud in wash at Red Rock Canyon NCA
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Redbud in rocky canyon in Gold Butte National Monument
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Redbud tree during spring
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Leaf (heart-shaped)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Top of leaf (rounded)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Bottom of leaf (rounded)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Top of leaf (rounded)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Bottom of leaf (rounded)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Leaf (heart-shaped)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Leaf (heart-shaped, but used by leaf-cutter bees)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata) California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
√
Developing California Redbud fruits
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Developing California Redbud fruits
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Developing California Redbud fruits
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Developing California Redbud fruit
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Developing California Redbud fruit with two seeds (note swellings)
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Developing California Redbud seed inside split open fruit
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud with fresh, dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud with fresh, dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud with fresh, dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud with fresh, dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud open seed pod
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
California Redbud seeds
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Aged California Redbud dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Aged California Redbud dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Fresh California Redbud dried seed pods
California Redbud (Cercis orbiculata)
Aged California Redbud dried seed pods

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 220816

All Deciduous Trees Plant Species Index Glossary Copyright, Conditions, Disclaimer Home
Google Ads