Table of Contents
- Edible Uses of Eastern Redbud
- Medicinal Uses of Eastern Redbud
- Alternative Uses of Redbud
- Growing Cercis Canadensis
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) isn’t in the wilds of Haliburton, Ontario. There is one recorded on iNat in Dysart et al, but I can guarantee it was planted there. It’s only truly native to Pelee island as far as Ontario goes and according to Vascan the species is extirpated. A few hundred miles south and it’s a pretty common understory shrub.
Redbuds are easy to ID as the flowers have short stems that make it appear as if they are growing directly out of the branch.
Edible Uses of Eastern Redbud
The spring flower buds near flowering can be twisted off and eaten raw or cooked, or picked as pretty pink capers. The fresh flowers can also be eaten raw or cooked. You can forage these flowers up until the leaves appear on the shrub. A member of the bean family, they unsurprisingly taste like a mildly sour bean sprout.
The flowers can also be steeped in water to make a pretty tea or used for jelly or baked goods. And of course, they make an eye-popping garnish.
The young green pods containing immature seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They should be small and easy to snap. You can blanch and freeze them.
Medicinal Uses of Eastern Redbud
Redbud is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Astringent. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is a tea from the inner bark used as a strong astringent for typical uses of astringents like treating diarrhea or a cough. It is not popular in my herbal library and there are many astringent plants preferred over redbud.
Alternative Uses of Redbud
The twigs boiled in water produce a yellow dye.
Growing Cercis Canadensis
As a near native, if you have a warmer microclimate on your property you may be able to establish a redbud tree. However, it’s not generally recommended north of Toronto.
It’s not the most productive choice as a near native, nor will it see as much pollinator fanfare as say alternate leaved dogwood or common elderberry. But I understand on looks this one will peak many a pink lovers interest. It has in the past thrived in some sheltered spots around lake Huron. And in many a yard to the south. It likes a moist soil and the light shade you’d expect in the understory or a hedgerow. Where it’s native, it can also be found in moist deciduous forests or along streambanks as long as the area isn’t in a floodplain.
Various bees will visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. And some pollinators local to Haliburtion whose caterpillars may feed on it include American dagger (Acronicta americana), fall webworm moth (Hyphantria cunea), grape leaffolder (Desmia funeralis), Henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici), Io (Automeris io), and the red-humped caterpillar Moth (Oedemasia concinna); some of which have a tendency to “infest” without harming the tree. Meaning in turn they will feed the birds preparing to migrate in the fall. Some leafhoppers and beetles may forage the redbud as well.
WARNINGS
This plant is high is saponins.
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
3) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
4) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
5) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/redbud.htm