Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

western redbud Fabaceae Cercis orbiculata Greene Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: CEOR9
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, rounded to kidney shaped, heart-shaped base, 1 to 4 inches long, somewhat leathery.
Flower: Perfect, small, reddish-purple, pea-like flowers borne in small, frequent clusters, plants in flower are spectacular.
Fruit: Flat, leathery pods (legumes), 2 to 4 inches long, hanging in clusters.
Twig: Small branches are slender, angled, and have smooth, brown bark with lighter lenticels.
Bark: Thin and somewhat scaly, sometimes ridged, brown.
Form: A large, erect, rounded shrub (most commonly) or a small tree up to 20 feet tall.
 Looks like: eastern redbud - Chinese redbud

western redbud leaf image
western redbud flower image
western redbud fruit image
western redbud twig image
western redbud bark image
western redbud form image
western redbud map image

Additional Range Information: Cercis orbiculata is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information