California Redbud
Cercis orbiculata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- Cercis orbiculata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Red, Pink, Purple
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Automeris zephyria, Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra tragopoginis), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Fascista cercerisella, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Io moth (Automeris io), Louisiana eyed silkmoth (Automeris louisiana), Morning-glory prominent moth (Schizura ipomoeae), Red-washed Prominent (Oligocentria semirufescens), Sosipatra thurberiae, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), white flannel moth (Norape ovina), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Henry's Elfin (Incisalia henrici), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and chaparral areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Hot water soaking treatment. 200F water is poured over seed to crack seed coat. Seed is left to soak in water overnight, then near boiling water is again poured over seed & left to soak. Continue to soak seed in fresh water for four more days, allowing seeds to imbibe water. Refresh water each day. Floating seeds are not viable and should be removed.
Establishment: Seeds collected from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Ash Mountain, Buckeye Housing. Plant is generally found on dry, shrubby slopes, canyons, ravines, stream banks, chaparral, foothill woodlands to yellow pine forests throughout California Floristic Province.
Source: npn.rngr.net