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GENERAL: A short-trunked, broad-crowned
tree, to 49', native to southern states, but now widely planted and frequently
escaped in the eastern U.S. Usually planted for its shade and flowers, the wood
is durable and useful for posts. (1)
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LEAVES: Opposite or whorled, simple, heart-shaped, 6"-10" long and 6" wide; margin entire or wavy; smooth above, hairy beneath. (1)
TWIGS: Stout, yellow-brown; no buds at the ends. Side buds small,
appear to be hidden in bark. Large, nearly round, depressed leaf scars are characteristic. (1)
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FLOWERS in July, arranged
in terminal clusters about 10" long; each showy flower white with yellow and
purple spots, 2" in diameter. (1) |
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FRUIT: Bean-like capsule, to 15" long, ½" wide,
halves separating when ripe, may persist on tips of branches all winter(1)
Capsule
contains many seeds, each with long white hairs on both ends. |
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BARK: Light brown, shallowly
ridged and scaly. (1)
Alternate Names:
Hardy catalpa, western catalpa, Catawba, Catawba-tree, cigar tree, Indian bean tree, Indian
cigar, Shawnee wood, early-flowering catalpa. The name ‘catalpa’ comes
from the Cherokee Indian language as the word for the tree. ‘Speciosa’ means “showy” for
the large and numerous flowers.
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Text references
Please ask for permission before using my photographs. Larger sizes and additional photographs
of the tree are often available.
