Catalpa Scop. (Bignoniaceae)

A genus of about ten species of trees; of e. North America (two species), e. Asia (four species), and the West Indies (four species).

Two species occur in North Carolina, neither are native.

1. Corolla 2-4 cm wide, the lower corolla lobe densely spotted with purple, entire; pod 6-10 mm thick, each valve 9-15 mm wide when flattened; seeds with 2 elongated wings, each wing narrowing to an acutish end, the hairs at the end appressed to one another in 2 planes, thus forming a pointed tail; fresh foliage with a fetid odor...*C. bignonioides (Southern catalpa)

Bark of Catalpa bignonioides (Copyright W. Cook)

Twig of Catalpa bignonioides (coming soon)

Leaves of Catalpa bignonioides (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Catalpa bignonioides (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Catalpa bignonioides (coming soon)

Seeds of Catalpa bignonioides (S. Hurst, courtesy of USDA PLANTS)

N.C. distribution of Catalpa bignonioides

U.S. distribution of Catalpa bignonioides

*Catalpa bignonioides (Southern catalpa)
(Uncommon; escaped or persistent after cultivation; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Jun, Fr: Oct)

1. Corolla 4-6 cm wide, the lower corolla lobe sparsely spotted with purple, notched; pod 10-15 mm thick, each valve 13-18 mm wide when flattened; seeds with 2 elongated wings, each wing narrowing only slightly to a rounded or oblique end, the hairs at the end appressed to one another only in one plane, thus forming a flattish fringe; fresh foliage essentially odorless...*C. speciosa (Northern catalpa)

Bark of Catalpa speciosa (Copyright W. Cook)

Twig of Catalpa speciosa (coming soon)

Leaves of Catalpa speciosa (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves and flowers of Catalpa speciosa (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Catalpa speciosa (Copyright W. Cook)

Seed of Catalpa speciosa (S. Hurst, courtesy USDA PLANTS)

N.C. distribution of Catalpa speciosa

U.S. distribution of Catalpa speciosa

*Catalpa speciosa (Northern catalpa)
(Uncommon; escaped or persistent after cultivation, and sometimes thoroughly naturalized; native of the northern Mississippi River Embayment; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: May-Jun, Fr: Jul-Aug)