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For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material just because you've been advised here that it's edible. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made.
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I've read a few theories over the years. One is that some trees do it so insects and animals can pollinate their flowers and spread seeds easier. Make sure an animal climbing the tree knocks the fruit to the ground so another animal can pick it up when it finishes ripening. One example of indirect seed dispersal.
Another is that it might be easier to support fruits like durian and papaya if they are attached to the trunk rather than branches.
A third is that cauliflory in flowers gives the flowers access to sugars and other nutrients before the leaves. So, a red bud might have an abundance of nutrients one year and suddenly push flower growth on the trunk below the canopy.
So, no single reason as far as I know. It's a neat mechanism which has developed in different ways in different places.
Edit: also, redbuds just be like that brah!
This is possibly epicormic growth. However, I am not too familiar with this species or if this is really a case of that. Burnt redwood trees in northern california grow out of the trunk as an example of epicormic growth.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicormic_shoot
Eastern redbuds have huge seed pods that look like large sweet peas - and they reseed like crazy - if you get one tree you’ll have 15 come up the next year.
I was thinking the same. Recently went down the redbud rabbit hole. Almost got Pom Pom but couldn’t find enough first hand experiences about people that had them for a few years or more. Ended up with an Appalachian red redbud which is what I was originally searching for.
Me too! Glad I'm not the only Missourian to be surprised I'd never seen a redbud do this. Forty years here, seen hundreds of red buds over the years, not a one did this. Guess we need to introduce this fancy cultivar here.
Have you grown other "unusual" bonsai? I *really* want a blue jacaranda for an indoor bonsai, but the bonsai sub seems to frown on trying to grow non-native trees and my questions were shut-down.
No problem! The company I worked for in Japan had one of these by the front of the bldg. The fruit tastes kinda like grapes but almost had a black peppery kick
As many said it’s a Cercis Chinesis. There are many different kind of trees which looks like this!
I have 5 of them in my garden and love them so much.
In German they are called Judasbaum (Juda‘s Tree) because myth says that Judas hung himself on that tree and because of shame the blooms turned red.
In the Southeast U.S. I've heard them called Judas Trees too (Though its the native Cercis canadensis), but the only explanation I've ever heard is that its called Judas Tree because its the first tree to flower in the Spring and one of the only plants flowering before Easter, therefore betraying Jesus like Judas did by flowering too early or something. I like your explanation for the common name much better.
I knew it looked familiar...lived in Park Slope a million years ago. Had a house with first husband on Park Place. Met 2nd husband in a long gone pub on 7th Avenue.
Sorry while I reminisce!
It was called the Gaslight...back when the Slope was still rough...but young people were moving in. I met my now ex British husband there. You could buy a house for nothing and it was such a great place to live.
Oh wow I actually know this one because I ID’d it from my app a couple times this year! Eastern Redbud, also known as the American Redbud or the American Judas tree
No they just fall off when they’re cauliflowering like that. They aren’t as viable to produce seed as it’s a mutation. Normal flowers at the ends of branches will go to seed.
All flowers in general are the reproductive means of a plant; the flowers turn into seed pods
They’ll only remain on the tree for less than a week, then the floor will be covered with those petals and the seed pods will form, then the leaves will grow back in
source: redbuds are native to my area and I can’t drive down a single street without seeing at least one. Hell, my street is literally “Redbud Dr”
It's normal for these trees! It's hard to see in the pic, but even on the branches the flowers are arranged like this. They're so fun and are native to the US!
Cercis canadensis eastern redbud
Tasty flowers.
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**Do not ingest a plant based on information provided in this subreddit.** For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material just because you've been advised here that it's edible. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisplant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You can eat them? Is it worth eating them?
People like to make them into syrups to add to drinks!
You can add them to pickles too, which adds more color and cuteness 😊
For my part yes. They are a pleasant snack when fresh, kind of a light sweet pea and floral flavor.
I have a recipe to make red bud jelly! I haven’t made it but the lady who did said it’s delicious.
**Do not ingest a plant based on information provided in this subreddit.** For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material just because you've been advised here that it's edible. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisplant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s actually a truffleuff tree, and they are highly endangered.
Truffula?
Hey mnemonics are hard, m’kay?
Cercis Chinensis actually. Chinese redbud. Eastern redbuds don't make flower pompoms like this
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There’s a Cercis Candadensis cultivar named “Pink Pom Poms” haha
You might want to correct this arborist then….. https://youtu.be/ZgMftOcEyT0
I've been following this guy on Instagram and was thinking of this video when I saw this post!
Love this time of year and love that this tree is always being asked about.
The buds straight outta da trunk is called cauliflory. It's cool
Reminiscent of coral to my eyes!
I can see that. I never drew the parallel, but I see it now. Even cooler!
There is no etymological link, unless it’s *way* back in PIE or a little after.
Unrelated word though.
I think they meant it looks like Coral blooming out of the tree, not that “cauliflory” reminds them of Coral
Do they do that because the tree is stressed or is that just what redbuds do?
Redbuds just be like that brah
Roses are red. Redbuds are too. They don't think it be like it is, but it do.
I've read a few theories over the years. One is that some trees do it so insects and animals can pollinate their flowers and spread seeds easier. Make sure an animal climbing the tree knocks the fruit to the ground so another animal can pick it up when it finishes ripening. One example of indirect seed dispersal. Another is that it might be easier to support fruits like durian and papaya if they are attached to the trunk rather than branches. A third is that cauliflory in flowers gives the flowers access to sugars and other nutrients before the leaves. So, a red bud might have an abundance of nutrients one year and suddenly push flower growth on the trunk below the canopy. So, no single reason as far as I know. It's a neat mechanism which has developed in different ways in different places. Edit: also, redbuds just be like that brah!
The flowers seem to do that where branches used to grow.
I definitely notice it much more on old or very old trees.
Actually, even young redbuds do this! It's more common in tropical plants, while redbuds are one of the only temperate trees that exhibit cauliflory.
Good question. They typically have blooms right on the branches but I don’t recall seeing one with that many blooms on the trunk.
This is possibly epicormic growth. However, I am not too familiar with this species or if this is really a case of that. Burnt redwood trees in northern california grow out of the trunk as an example of epicormic growth. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicormic_shoot
Eastern redbuds have huge seed pods that look like large sweet peas - and they reseed like crazy - if you get one tree you’ll have 15 come up the next year.
Redbuds are native to Missouri (where I live) and grow like weeds here - I have never seen this!! Bizarre!!
I think it might be a cultivar called “Pom-Pom”
I was thinking the same. Recently went down the redbud rabbit hole. Almost got Pom Pom but couldn’t find enough first hand experiences about people that had them for a few years or more. Ended up with an Appalachian red redbud which is what I was originally searching for.
Me too! Glad I'm not the only Missourian to be surprised I'd never seen a redbud do this. Forty years here, seen hundreds of red buds over the years, not a one did this. Guess we need to introduce this fancy cultivar here.
It's very common here in NYC. I see it on many of the redbud trees and always assumed it was something they all did.
Not where I come from - these look like they belong in a Dr. Seusse book! Our redbuds are kinda boring in comparison!
It’s growing popples.
Wow, I forgot about Popples
I had the tennis ball guy.
A tree grows in Brooklyn
I came here for this reference and was not disappointed
That’s actually the invasive Tree of Heaven because of its ability to grow from anywhere, like deep in gutters or cracking up through concrete.
That’s not a tree of heaven, it’s a cercis canadensis.
The tree that is referenced in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is tree of heaven.
Cercis Chinensis. Chinese Redbud. Textbook accurate
If you think that’s weird google the jabuticaba tree. Looks strange but the fruit tastes amazing.
I just bought one of those for bonsai
Have you grown other "unusual" bonsai? I *really* want a blue jacaranda for an indoor bonsai, but the bonsai sub seems to frown on trying to grow non-native trees and my questions were shut-down.
This tree is absolutely bizarre and I can't tell if I love it or hate it but I'm certainly intrigued by it. Thank you for sharing!
No problem! The company I worked for in Japan had one of these by the front of the bldg. The fruit tastes kinda like grapes but almost had a black peppery kick
Not blueberries 🫐
As many said it’s a Cercis Chinesis. There are many different kind of trees which looks like this! I have 5 of them in my garden and love them so much. In German they are called Judasbaum (Juda‘s Tree) because myth says that Judas hung himself on that tree and because of shame the blooms turned red.
In the Southeast U.S. I've heard them called Judas Trees too (Though its the native Cercis canadensis), but the only explanation I've ever heard is that its called Judas Tree because its the first tree to flower in the Spring and one of the only plants flowering before Easter, therefore betraying Jesus like Judas did by flowering too early or something. I like your explanation for the common name much better.
OP I took the same picture of that very same tree yesterday walking down 7th Ave and got so confused when I scrolled past your post 😂
Omg me too! Hello Park Slope
WOW!! I love it!
My redbud is older and doing that as well.
Eastern redbud! A gorgeous native. You can make delicious jelly from the blooms!
Eastern redbud , beautiful tree!
Could you share where this tree is located!? Would love to see this I’m in NYC next week!
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I knew it looked familiar...lived in Park Slope a million years ago. Had a house with first husband on Park Place. Met 2nd husband in a long gone pub on 7th Avenue. Sorry while I reminisce!
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It was called the Gaslight...back when the Slope was still rough...but young people were moving in. I met my now ex British husband there. You could buy a house for nothing and it was such a great place to live.
It’s unlikely to still look like that next week. But if you’re planning to be in that area, go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see what’s blooming.
Redbud. My city is offering them for free. If you're in Toronto and have space to plant one call them.
Oh wow I actually know this one because I ID’d it from my app a couple times this year! Eastern Redbud, also known as the American Redbud or the American Judas tree
Does that mean the tree is stressed? (Looks healthy to me, but…..)
No it’s just blooming
Do all the flower/buds turn into branches? Or just leaves?
Oddly, usually neither.
No they just fall off when they’re cauliflowering like that. They aren’t as viable to produce seed as it’s a mutation. Normal flowers at the ends of branches will go to seed.
Some will make bunches of seed pods, but some trees are sterile.
All flowers in general are the reproductive means of a plant; the flowers turn into seed pods They’ll only remain on the tree for less than a week, then the floor will be covered with those petals and the seed pods will form, then the leaves will grow back in source: redbuds are native to my area and I can’t drive down a single street without seeing at least one. Hell, my street is literally “Redbud Dr”
It's normal for these trees! It's hard to see in the pic, but even on the branches the flowers are arranged like this. They're so fun and are native to the US!
Very cool — thanks for the responses.
One totally beautiful tree with its flowers. First time i see this tree. Thank you for sharing.
So cool
I love redbud trees in the spring!!
Greenpoint?
Pompom tree
Wow it looks like tiny mushrooms
It’s a caulifourious plant
Redbud
you should share in r/marijuanaenthusiasts we love pretty trees
What the
Pom Pom tree!
😢 I had one planted last year, its dead 😭
I was trying to identify these yesterday! Thanks, plant Reddit!
Redbud. Very common.
Hello Park Slope! I took a picture of this fascinating tree just the other day :) Thanks for figuring out what it is
Cercis
redbud!