Cercis is a genus of about 10 species in the subfamily Cercidoideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to warm temperate regions. It contains small deciduous trees or large shrubs commonly known as redbuds. They are characterised by simple, rounded to heart-shaped leaves and pinkish-red flowers borne in the early spring on bare leafless shoots, on both branches and trunk ('cauliflory'). Cercis is derived from the Greek word κερκις (kerkis) meaning 'weaver's shuttle'.
NCBI taxonomy ID: 49800
Cercis canadensis, the eastern redbud, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, native to eastern North America from southern Michigan south to central Mexico, east to New Jersey. Species thrive as far west as California and as far north as southern Ontario, roughly corresponding to USDA hardiness zone 6b. It is the state tree of Oklahoma.
NCBI taxonomy ID: 49801
Cercis chinensis is a flowering tree endemic to China, with medicinal and horticultural uses.
NCBI taxonomy ID: 161750