Redbud
Redbud, or Judas Tree, a beautiful flowering tree that is said to blush because Judas chose it as the tree on which to hang himself. The redbud blooms in early spring, before the broad, heart-shaped leaves unfold. With twigs and branchlets densely covered with tiny rose-purple flowers, it is spectacularly beautiful. Both the common species and a white-flowered variety are widely grown. The fruits are flattened pods, two to four inches (5 to 10 cm) long, with many seeds.
The North American species is found from Ontario and Quebec southward to the Gulf. It grows up to 50 feet (15 m) tall. A similar species grows in Europe and Asia.
The North American redbud is Cercis canadensis; the Eurasian, C. siliquastrum. The redbud belongs to the pea family, Leguminosae.