redbud

It is Redbud time in my backyard!  Also known as Judas tree as it was thought that Judas Iscariote hanged himself on the tree and that is the reason the flowers turned from white to red for his shame and blood. Native to the South, the bark of the tree was used by Native Indians used the inner bark to make a yellow dye  and the roots to make red dye and used the tea from the bark for medicinal purposes such as dysentery. Cardinals like the seeds and apparently some squirrels. What I love about the tree are the different colors, pink blossoms and heart shaped purples leaves. Check out my pinterest page for all the is blooming in my backyard.