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Catalpa speciosa - (Warder. ex Barney.)Warder. ex Engelm.

Common Name Shawnee Wood, Northern catalpa, Early Flowering Catalpa, Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Indian Ciga
Family Bignoniaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Borders of streams and fertile, often inundated, bottomlands and woods[43, 82].
Range Central N. America - Indiana and Illinois to Tennessee and Arkansas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Catalpa speciosa Shawnee Wood, Northern catalpa, Early Flowering Catalpa, Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Indian Ciga


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Gobeirne
Catalpa speciosa Shawnee Wood, Northern catalpa, Early Flowering Catalpa, Hardy Catalpa, Western Catalpa, Indian Ciga
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Carnildo

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Oval.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Catalpa speciosa is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

None known

References

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - soft, not strong, light, coarse-grained, very durable in the soil[11, 61, 82, 171]. It weighs 26lb per cubic foot[235]. It is largely used for fence posts and rails, telegraph poles etc, it is also occasionally used for making furniture, the interior finish of buildings etc. A very valuable timber tree in N. America[1, 11, 61, 82, 171].

Special Uses

References

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a good moist loamy soil and a sunny position that is not exposed[1, 11]. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Very resistant to atmospheric pollution[188]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, probably more in continental climates[200], they grow best in areas with hot summers[188]. Protect plants from late frosts when they are young[200]. A fast-growing tree in the wild, where it commences to flower when about 15 years old[229]. Flowering is cyclic, with large crops of seed being produced every 2 - 3 years[229]. The wood is weak which often results in branches breaking off in strong winds[229]. When damaged by herbivores, the leaves produce extrafloral nectar that attracts insects which deter the leaf-eating herbivores[274]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. Trees transplant easily[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: North American native, Naturalizing, Blooms are very showy.

References

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown outdoors, or in a cold frame, as soon as it is ripe[200]. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 1°c and sow in spring[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings, 10cm long, in a frame. They should be taken in late spring to early summer before the leaves are fully developed[200]. Root cuttings in winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Catalpa bignonioidesIndian Bean Tree, Southern catalpaTree15.0 5-9 MLMHNM02 
Catalpa bungei Tree10.0 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Catalpa ovataChinese CatalpaTree10.0 5-9 FLMHNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Warder. ex Barney.)Warder. ex Engelm.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

cole   Mon Jul 14 2008

It tastes bad, hurts the throat, but it's fun to bit people with pods)))

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