April 6, 2026

Cauliflory, a word which refers to trees that bloom and produce fruit from their trunks. Of course it’s the opposite of what is normally seen, blooms and fruit growing on new growth. It’s a happening that is rare in temperate climates but common in tropical forests.

It surprises me to find that there are three cauliflorous species of trees that grow right here in my woods, Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and in the picture above – Redbud (Cercis canadensis).

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