Taxonomy
| Clade | angiosperm |
|---|
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
|---|
| Genus | Catalpa |
|---|
| Species | speciosa |
|---|
| Common Name | northern catalpa |
|---|
| iTree Code | CASP8 |
|---|
Plant Form
| Form | Tree: irregular, sparse crown |
|---|
| Height | 65 feet |
|---|
| Spread | 30 feet |
|---|
| Deciduous | Yes |
|---|
Identification Description
| Foliage | whorled, simple, very large heart shaped, with smooth edges |
Leaf Type
 |
Simple |
|---|
| Bark | reddish when young, gray/brown with age, shallow irregular fissures/scales |
|---|
| Bud | terminal: lacking; lateral: small rounded, short with scales that appear open |
Bud Arrangement
|
Whorled |
|---|
| Twig | red or yellow/brown in current year, stout, smooth |
|---|
| Flower | large white, with purple/orange markings, both male and female on the same trees |
|---|
| Fruit | green then brown, long, thin “sting-bean” fall/winter containing winged seeds (winged capsule), persist through winter |
|---|
| Fall Color | brown |
|---|
Site Characteristics
| USDA Zones
|
pH Levels | Salt Tolerance |
| Min | 4a |
Min | 5.5 |
Soil | Intolerant |
| Max | 8b |
Max | 7.0 |
Spray | Intolerant |
| Shade Tolerance | Drought Tolerance | Allelopathy |
| Intolerant |
Moderate |
No |
