Catalpa speciosa SEEDS

Catalpa speciosa seeds grow into the northern catalpa a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to the temperate biome of central and eastern United States, ranging from Illinois and Indiana south to Arkansas and Tennessee and west to Utah, where it grows in moist, bottomland and riparian habitats. The largest of the North American catalpas, it develops huge, heart-shaped leaves up to 30 cm long, producing a tropical-looking, bold canopy of exceptional shade value. In late spring it produces large clusters of spectacular white, trumpet-shaped flowers marked with purple and yellow spots on the interior each flower up to 6 cm across. The distinctive long cylindrical pods, reaching 45 cm, persist through winter. The durable timber has traditionally been used for fence posts and railway sleepers. Family Bignoniaceae.

Full sun; fast-growing; adaptable to a wide range of soils including wet and poorly drained ones; cold-hardy; good urban tree. Caterpillars of the catalpa sphinx moth (Ceratomia catalpae) feed on the leaves the caterpillars are prized as fishing bait.

• Enormous heart-shaped leaves to 30 cm; large white trumpet flowers with purple-yellow spots
• Long cylindrical pods to 45 cm persisting through winter; durable, rot-resistant timber
• Central & E. U.S.A. to Utah temperate biome; bottomland and riparian habitats
• Host plant of catalpa sphinx moth; caterpillars prized as fishing bait
• Full sun; fast-growing; adaptable to wet and varied soils; cold-hardy urban tree

Catalpa speciosa is the great bold-leaved shade tree of the American heartland the northern catalpa’s enormous leaves, spectacular white flower clusters, persistent winter pods and tough adaptability have made it one of the most characterful and useful large deciduous trees of central and eastern North America.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.