Catalpas
FAMILY BIGNONIACEAEGenus CATALPA, Scop.
Trees with soft coarse-grained, durable wood. Leaves large, simple, heart shaped, opposite or whorled. Flowers large, white, showy, perfect, in panicles. Fruit long, cylindrical pods full of compressed winged and tufted seeds.
The bignonia family includes among its hundred genera of tropical plants three of arborescent habit in the United States.
Large flowers and conspicuous fruits are family traits. The most important timber and ornamental trees are in the genus Catalpa, which has in all seven species. Two of these are found in the United States.
Black Calabash Tree
Catalpa or Indian Bean Tree
Desert Willow Tree
Paulownia Tree
Western Catalpa Tree