Tag: Redbud

Up Here

Down at the bottom of my place. Looking further down through the utility line right-of-way, to the low lands where things are growing more quickly. Growing at a faster rate because it is generally warmer.

Up here the Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are at this stage. Just beginning to show a little color but not open. Down below they have broad strokes of lovely pink on their branches lighting up the countryside.

A little further along in their development, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).

Spicebush brightening up the dreary winter woods. Bringing in some spring color.

Spring becoming more and more at home on my mountain as the days go by.

A Legume

The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a legume! Yes, it’s a member of the legume (Fabaceae) family. Unlike most members of the legume family, which are able to fix nitrogen through their roots into the soil, the Eastern Redbud doesn’t have this ability.

The seeds in the legume pods are a great source of food for many birds including, Cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Bobwhites. Deer and Squirrels feed on the seeds as well.

Great seed pods, but they certainly don’t impress me nearly as much as the sweet cauliflorous pink (not red) Redbud blooms.

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Flowers Sprouting From The Bark

Wandering the mountain today, and a surprise. Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) within days of being in bloom.

And these blooms even show up on the trunk, and older stems of the tree. This is called cauliflory. There are estimated to be more than 100 species of plants, the world over, that are cauliflorous, scattered among a wide variety plant families.

No matter the location of those flowers on the trees. The woods will soon be pink, pink, and more pink!

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