Each of the US states have adopted a variety of symbols to represent its different features such as mottos, mammals, songs, flags. The purpose of these symbols is to represent the cultural heritage and natural treasures of the state. On March 30, 1937, the state of Oklahoma first adopted the eastern redbud as the official state tree. (2) Later in 1971, the Oklahoma legislature made this official by enacting Section 2.16.69 of the Agriculture Code. (1)

Plants have two types of names, the common name and the scientific name. Scientific names are in Latin and consist of two parts, the genus followed by the specific epithet. “Cercis canadensis” is the scientific name given for the commonly named eastern redbud. The ancient name for the oriental Judas tree is “Cercis”. “[C]anadensis” is translated as "of Canada". The eastern redbud is native to eastern North America and is found from southern Ontario, throughout Oklahoma and to northern Florida.

The redbud is a quick-growing small tree, and in early spring the buds open to pink lavender blossoms, which brighten the landscape of Oklahoma. The flowers bloom for three weeks, before the foliage emerges. Initially the leaves open soft and pink but gradually mature to a glossy rich green. Also, Bean-like seed pods appear after the flowering. Native Americans consumed parts of the redbud tree. They ate the seeds roasted, and redbud flowers raw or boiled. The nutritional component of the flower extract is anthocyanins, and the seeds contain oleic and palmitic acids, proanthocyanides, linolenic and alpha-linolenic. (3)

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