[5] This is an example of a tree exhibiting a symbiotic relationship with nearby insects. Europeans first observed the tree growing in the fields of the Cherokee Native American tribes, who called it Catalpa. Prominent veins are apparent, and they range from 6 to 12 inches in length, with an equally long stem. The Catawba worm strives on the tree; these worms are great for fish bait. Southern Catalpa is a powerful bloomer with a unique contorted form. The leaves grow three at each node on the twig in a whorled pattern and are a dull shade of green above with a hairy pale underside. The medium sized, flowering deciduous tree Catalpa bignonioides is a relatively easily grown shade tree that prefers moderate soils but is tolerant of both wet and dry conditions.It prefers being grown in full sun to part shade and has an irregular shape once grown. The leaf shape of the catalpa’s foliage bears a great likeness to elephant ears or large hearts. They come out of the bud involute, purplish, when full grown are bright green, smooth above, pale green, and downy beneath. Fruit: Long slender capsule, nearly cylindrical, two-celled, partition at right angles to the valves. And the strong wood is used for fence posts and making furniture. The long, interesting seed pods persist through the winter. Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Royal Paulownia, Tulip Poplar dr. Phonetic Spelling kah-TAL-pah big-non-ee-OY-deez Description. It is two-lipped and the lips are lobed, two lobes above and three below, as is not uncommon with such corollas. Leaves: Opposite, or in threes, simple, six to ten inches long, four to five broad. Catalpa bignonioides is the preferred landscape tree. The tree is fairly free from fungal diseases and has few insect enemies.[4]. Sterile filaments three, inserted near base of corolla, often rudimentary. Clusters of dark glands, which secrete nectar are found in the axils of the primary veins. This page was last edited on 7 October 2020, at 19:58. It also has larger leaves and its flowers open about two weeks earlier than those of southern catalpa. Southern Catalpa has many interesting features and uses. The flowers of Catalpa trees have white petals and spots of yellow with purple dots. The flower is perfect, possessing both stamens and pistils; nevertheless, the law of elimination is at work and of the five stamens that are expected to be found, three have aborted, ceased to bear anthers and have become filaments simply. The cross was done by a Russian in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It is a fast growing tree which prefers moist, well drained, alkaline soil, but can tolerate a range of soil types (this is why it could be, to some, considered a weedy plant). The wood is very light and resistant to rotting, which is why it was used a lot for fence posts and railroad ties until metal took over. Features distinctively large leaves that are up to 12" in length and 4–8" wide, with a somewhat heart or spear shape. [4], The leaves are large and heart shaped, being 20–30 cm long and 15–20 cm broad. Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) A very showy tree with large creamy flowers and cordate leaves. During the fall season the seed pods of the Catalpa tree hang from the tree with the appearance of brown, one foot long cigars. Southern Catalpa is planted as an ornamental tree and is sometimes included in urban landscaped lawns for shade and for its showy spring flowers. It can be made into a tea that is an antidote for snake bites and has also used for a laxative. Catalpa worms are the fish-bait of choice for many anglers here in the south. The flowers grow in clusters and have red and yellow stripes. The bean pods look like big cigars, which gives this plant another common name. This site is a service of the Consumer Horticulture Program at Purdue University. A sunny exposur… Downsides to landscaping with this tree is that it can be considered invasive in some circumstances, and it litters the lawn with flowers in the spring, leaves in the fall and seed pods in the winter. Catalpa bignonioides is a species of Catalpa that is native to the southeastern United States in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Southern catalpa is also known as "cigar tree" for its sausage-shaped, cylindrical fruits. It is found in USDA Zones 4-8, whereas the southern catalpa prefers Zones 5-9. Flowers: June, July. The catalpa blooms with a heavy load of flowers in the spring followed by a large number of leaves in the fall. Catalpa bignonioides contains varying levels of iridoid glycosides that deter generalist herbivores, but which are tolerated by and concentrated in Ceratomia catalpae caterpillars. [9] These caterpillars have a longstanding ecological relationship with the tree, and may defoliate a tree three or more times in a summer without killing it. For one thing, it's strong, extensive root system can prevent soil erosion. Because the caterpillars are an excellent live bait for fishing, some dedicated anglers plant cat… Winter reveals its arching, twisted branches. Commonly called the Catawba or Indian Bean Tree, this southern US native is an occasional escape from cultivation. [8], It prefers moist soil and full sun. It is one of two parents of the interspecific hybrid tree × Chitalpa tashkentensis. The catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is not native to Iowa. The leaves turn blackish before falling off the tree in autumn. Severe defoliation over several consecutive years can cause death of trees. For one thing, it's strong, extensive root system can prevent soil erosion. Catalpa bignonioides, commonly called Southern catalpa, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that typically grows to 30-40’ (less frequently to 60’) tall with an irregular, broad-rounded crown. The bright green leaves appear late and as they are full grown before the flower clusters open, add much to the beauty of the blossoming tree. Their size makes them a prominent feature, as those on a northern catalpa can be a foot in length and as wide as 8 inches; the southern catalpa leaves are slightly smaller. Calyx: Globular and pointed in the bud; finally splitting into two, broadly ovate, entire lobes, green or light purple. Finally, fibers from the fruit of the plant can be used to make ropes. The Southern catalpa's leaves are heart-shaped and broad, with a lighter green on the underside. Catalpa bignonioides is a species of Catalpa that is native to the southeastern United States in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The general effect of the flower cluster is a pure white, but the individual corolla is spotted with purple and gold, and some of these spots are arranged in lines along a ridge, so as to lead directly to the nectar within. Catalpa is also known to be a mild narcotic, which is used in curing the “whooping cough. The capsule contains numerous flat light brown seeds with two papery wings. Catalpa trees have a large crown that is rounded and upright with heart shape medium flowers. This coarse, large leaved tree spreads 50 feet and tolerates hot, dry weather, but leaves may scorch and some drop from the tree in very dry summers. The tree is the sole source of food for the catalpa sphinx moth (Ceratomia catalpae), the leaves being eaten by the caterpillars. Chestnut, Chinese (Castanea mollissima) NE , SE: M: L: Prefers full sun and reasonably well-drained soil. Nana, or umbrella catalpa (usually sold as Catalpa bungei. Flowers in spring are quite showy. The northern catalpa is sometimes called a hardy catalpa. After the flowers bloom, long, cylindrical pods filled with small winged seeds form. Catalpa is also known to be a mild narcotic, which is used in curing the “whooping cough. And the strong wood is used for fence posts and making furniture. Then, too, the flowers refuse to be self-fertilized. Catalpa Tree - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. Branchlets forking regularly by pairs, at first green, shaded with purple and slightly hairy, later gray or yellowish brown, finally reddish brown. The short thick trunk supports long and straggling branches which form a broad and irregular head. The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 18 m (59 ft) high. The only food supply for the Catalpa worm/caterpillar is the leaves of the Catalpa tree. The fruit is a long, thin bean pod like capsule 20–40 cm long and 8–10 mm diameter; it often stays attached to tree during winter. Attractive, large panicles of white bell-shaped flowers with yellow and purple spots bloom in early summer and are long-lasting. The Chinese catalpa is a little squatter than the southern catalpa, growing to 20-30 feet. When caterpillars are numerous, infested trees may be completely defoliated. Its value in this respect has long been recognized and it holds an assured place in the parks and gardens of all temperate countries. Finally, fibers from the fruit of the plant can be used to make ropes. Catalpa also has several medicinal uses. They are filled with numerous, 1" long seeds that are fringed at the ends. Contains. 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