Etymology: Catalpa: abroiginal name
Plants: perennial tree to 100' tall
Leaves: widely heart-shaped to rounded to 12" with a sharp tip, underside hairy
Flowers: white with 2 yellow stripes and light purple spots, 2" wide, 2-lipped with 5 spreading lobes; inflorescence a terminal panicle; blooms May-June
Fruits: elongated pod 8"-20" long; 1" oblong seeds with 2 wings ending with hairs
Habitat: alluvial forests
Conservation Status: Introduced - escaped
Plants: perennial tree to 100' tall
Leaves: widely heart-shaped to rounded to 12" with a sharp tip, underside hairy
Flowers: white with 2 yellow stripes and light purple spots, 2" wide, 2-lipped with 5 spreading lobes; inflorescence a terminal panicle; blooms May-June
Fruits: elongated pod 8"-20" long; 1" oblong seeds with 2 wings ending with hairs
Habitat: alluvial forests
Conservation Status: Introduced - escaped
Introduced from the southeastern United States and commonly cultivated for its large, showy flowers. Now escaped to roadsides, river islands, various types of forests, railroad corridors, and especially around timber plantations. So many specimens lack adequate data as to whether or not they are from wild plants, but it appears the species became established in the 1940s.
Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Trees: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation
Robert W. Freckmann
Robert R. Kowal
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Michael Clayton
Emmet J. Judziewicz
