A tree with leaves arranged ╟ alternate, blade division=🍁︎ simple, ♤ heart-shaped, with margin (edge)=___ smooth, and a woody stem.
Part of
redbud genus Cercis
in
legume / pea family Fabaceae
in
order Fabales.
Native to 🇲🇽 Mexico, and 🇺🇸 USA East, South, Midwest and Great Plains.
▭ 🌎︎ Map (North America, Central America), 
▭ 🌎︎ today + with climate change (eastern 🇺🇸 USA).
🌲︎ State tree of Oklahoma.
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Cercis hosts caterpillars of 22 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
🌳︎🐝︎ Trees for Bees
Most legumes (but not this species) cooperate with a bacterium that fixes
atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants and animals.
Use as small tree in a house or fence corner garden, or patio garden (Pennsylvania). (pages 29, 30 and 54)
Planting info (SW Michigan)
bloom dates (NE Illinois). (🔒︎ Wild Ones members only)
Scores moderate (5 out of 10) on the OPALS™ Ogren Plant Allergy Scale.