Object Details
Description
The northern catalpa is mostly planted today as a shade tree with beautiful, white speckled flowers. In the past, European settlers planted it for fence posts, for railroad ties and wood to feed the engines, for packing material, and telephone poles. It was once thought to give off poisonous emanations, but modern research has shown no evidence of this. Doctors used various parts of the tree to treat breathing and heart problems, and for swelling.
In the winter, the northern catalpa has unique identifying leaf scars on its twigs. Its leaf scars are sunken, look like suction cups, and have a whorled arrangement of three scars per a node. Another identifying trait, is that unlike the southern catalpa, the leaves of this tree do not have an unpleasant aroma when bruised.
This tree is listed as Rare in Indiana.
Hardiness
-30 - 20 F
Bloom Time
May to June
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
Pioneer doctors used seed pods and seeds to make decoction for chronic bronchial affections, spasmodic asthma, labored breathing, and heart problems. Juice from leaves or roots was used to treat eye swelling. Green leaves were crushed and placed on swollen lymph glands. Bark was dried and ground into a powder to be taken or brewed as a tea for swollen lymph glands. Pharmaceutical research has shown tree to have diuretic properties.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2011-2933A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Deciduous tree
Average Height
40-70'
Bark Characteristics
Young: brown, thin Mature: gray-brown, ridged
Bloom Characteristics
Clusters of bell-shaped, 5 lobed flowers with ruffled edges. Tubular and up to .5" across.
Fall Color
Yellow
Foliage Characteristics
Simple, alternate, broad and ovate-oblong leaves are pointed and heart-shaped with entire margins. Tend to whorl in 3s on young stems. 12" long.
Fruit Characteristics
Slender, green seedpods develop in summer, mature in fall, turn brown and split open lengthwise to disperse seeds in the spring. 10-24" long.
Structure
Round; oval
Range
C and E USA to Utah
Habitat
Riparian, low and upland woods. 50-200 meters.
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
Common Name
cigartree
catawba
catalpa
Northern catalpa
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Asteranae
Order
Lamiales
Family
Bignoniaceae
Genus
Catalpa
Species
speciosa
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-2933A