Northern Catalpa

Scientific Name: Catalpa speciosa (Warder) Warder ex Engelm.
Family: Bignoniaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: All zones
USDA: 4-8

Heat Tolerance: Questionable

Sun Exposure: Full sun, intolerant of shade

Origin: USA (Southern Illinois to Arkansas)

Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, up to 70 feet tall (20 m), 20 to 50 feet spread (6-15 m), leaves 6 to 12 inches long (15-30 cm), sometimes tri-lobed, particularly when young, soft pubescence on the underside, no odor when crushed

Flowers: White or purple flowers

Watering Needs: Little water

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings in late spring or summer, budding or grafting in the fall or winter

Propagation: Seed

• by seeds, in spring. Germinates at 70-85 degrees F. The seeds can be harvested in late winter. No pre-treatment is needed. The usual germination temperature is 70-85 degrees F.

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester, PA

This Catalpa is the host plant for the catawba worms, caterpillars that are popular fishing bait.

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth, TX.

Blooming Habits:
Very showy, tubular flowers, up to 0.4 inch broad (2 cm) in terminal panicle, in May - June. The corolla is white outside, purple and yellow spotted inside. The fruit is an elongate "cigarlike" or "beanlike" capsule, up to 14 inches long (35cm), 0.4 inch in diameter (1cm). The seeds are flattened, with 2-papery, fringed wings.