Redbud

Collected a whole bunch of Redbud seedpods.



The small hard mature seeds probably contain too many digestive inhibitors to be a good food for humans, but the immature pods can be eaten cooked like green beans. I collected these to plant them. Flowers are also edible.

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cercis+canadensis

I have thebest results getting them to grow when trying to mimic fire. Smokey water and some ash from the seed pods.

The stems make excellent basket material

Thank you for that tip!

Here in Kentucky the redbud is the first tree to flower in the spring along with the dogwood. So when you look into the woodlines you see the tiered white flowers of the dogwood and then the spectacular purple redbuds . We have planted a few and let a few volunteers grow just for that effect . You need a psychological boost after a cold winter.

They are beautiful.. Unfortunately we had only one on our place which I think has died due to drought, so I hope to get some more growing in a less harsh position.