Cercis canadénsis Linnæus. Redbud. [Plate 105.] Small trees; bark of trunk of old trees fissured, reddish-brown; twigs glabrous, light brown, becoming a dark brown; leaves alternate, broadly ovate, average blades 6-14 cm. long, cordate at base, short-pointed, sometimes short-acuminate or rarely rounded at the apex, margins entire, glabrous or pubescent on unfolding, at maturity usually glabrous on both sides, or with a few hairs in the axils of the veins or along the veins, sometimes more or less pubescent beneath, and with hairs on the veins above; petioles generally 2-6 cm. long; flowers appear in April or May before the leaves, in clusters of 4-8 on the branches of the preceding season, pink or rose color; pods 5-10 cm. long, thin, flat and glabrous; wood heavy, hard and weak.
Distribution.—In Canada along the shores of Lake Erie and Ontario, New York west through Michigan to Iowa, south to the Gulf States and west to Texas. Found throughout Indiana except there are no records from the counties bordering Lake Michigan. In the northern part of the State it is rare or frequent in alluvial soil along streams or in rich woods. In the southern part of the State it is a frequent to a common tree in ravines and on slopes. It is never found in wet situations, and consequently is absent in the "flats" of the southern counties.
Remarks.—The redbud is the common name for this tree throughout the State. In one locality it was known as the fish blossom because the larger fish spawn when this tree is in flower. In text books it is also called Judas tree. It is usually a tree 1-1.5 dm. in diameter and 5-10 m. high. It is of no economic importance and is classed as a weed tree in the woodlot and should be removed.
It is frequently recommended for ornamental planting. It prefers a rich moist soil, and is shade enduring, although it succeeds best in the open or in a light shade.
2. GLEDÍTSIA. The Honey Locust.
| Pods more than 8 cm. long; seeds oval | [1 G. triacanthos.] |
| Pods less than 8 cm. long; seeds orbicular | [2 G. aquatica.] |
1. Gleditsia triacánthos Linnæus. Honey Locust. [Plate 106.] Medium to large sized trees; bark of old trunks fissured and peeling off in strips; spines on trunk large and often much branched, sometimes 4 dm. long; spines on branches not so large, generally more or less forked; twigs at first green, turning a light brown; leaves pinnate or bipinnate, 1-2 dm. long, rachis permanently pubescent; leaflets 9-14 pairs, fewer on the bipinnate forms, petiolules about 1 mm. long, form variable from ovate to lanceolate, sometimes somewhat falcate, generally 2-3 cm. long, usually more or less pubescent beneath; flowers appear in May or June, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, rich in honey, their appearance being announced by the hum of the swarm of insects visiting them; fruit a flat, linear twisted pod, 2-4 dm. long, glabrous and lustrous or pubescent on the sides; seeds several, oval, about 6 mm. wide, and 10 mm. long, glabrous and chestnut brown; wood heavy, hard, strong, coarse-grained and takes a good polish.