The leaves are alternate, simple, and heart shaped with an entire margin, 7–12 cm (3–4.5 in) long and wide, thin and papery, and may be slightly hairy below.

The flowers are showy, light to dark magenta pink in color, 1.5 cm (1⁄2 in) long, appearing in clusters from spring to early summer, on bare stems before the leaves, sometimes on the trunk itself.

The cultivars 'Forest Pansy'[10] and 'Ruby Falls'[11] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).

[12] Both are cultivated for their showy purple leaves, which turn brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall (autumn).

mexicana are tolerant of high salinity levels allowing them to grow more effectively in areas similar to the southwestern United States.

[15] In some parts of southern Appalachia, green twigs from the eastern redbud are used as seasoning for wild game such as venison and opossum.

[citation needed] Native Americans consume redbud flowers raw or boiled, and eat roasted seeds.