Cercis occidentalis aka California Redbud

Cercis occidentalis, also known as the western redbud or California redbud, is a small tree or shrub in the legume family, Fabaceae. This plant is native to the American Southwest, found from California to Utah and Arizona. It is easily recognizable in the months of March to May when it is covered in small pink to purple flowers. The plant has thin, shiny brown branches and heart-shaped leaves that start light green and darken as they age. At higher elevations, the leaves may turn gold or red as the weather cools. The showy flowers are bright pink or magenta and grow in clusters all over the shrub, making it very colorful and noticeable in the landscape. The shrub also bears 3-inch-long brown legume pods that are thin and dry. Indigenous Californians use the twigs of the western redbud to weave baskets and even prune the shrub to encourage the growth of new twigs. The bark provides a faint reddish dye for the finished basketry. The Concow tribe calls the tree "dopor tal'k". As a houseplant, the western redbud is super rare and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. The plant likes well-draining soil, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. The western redbud belongs to the Cercis genus and is native to Southwestern North America.