Northern Catalpa

Illustration of northern catalpa leaves, flowers, fruit.
Skin irritating
Scientific Name
Catalpa speciosa
Family
Bignoniaceae (trumpet creepers)
Description

Northern catalpa is a medium-sized tree with a short trunk and several large, ascending branches and a narrow, rounded crown.

Leaves are simple, opposite or in threes, egg-shaped with an abruptly pointed tip, 6–12 inches long, margin mostly smooth; upper surface dark green, smooth; lower surface paler, hairy; mildly scented when crushed; turn yellow in fall.

Bark is thick, with irregular, short ridges and deep grooves, not scaly.

Twigs are stout, brittle, green to purplish, hairy; becoming light orange or brown and smooth with age.

Flowers May–June; in upright, pyramidal clusters 4–8 inches long; flowers bell-shaped, 2 inches long, white, showy, attractive, and fragrant; throat with yellow spots and dark lines; lower lobe with a notch in the center.

Fruits October, single or 2 or 3 together, a beanlike pod 8–20 inches long, ¼–½ inch wide, light brown, splitting into 2 halves; seeds numerous, flattened, about 1 inch long. Pods persist on branches all winter, opening in spring before falling.

Similar species: Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonoiodes) is not native to our state but has been planted widely. Northern catalpa, however, has bigger flowers (1½–2 inches long); each flower’s lower lip is shallowly notched; the fruits are fairly thick-walled (the sides remain concave after the pod splits open); and the bark is reddish brown and divided into thick (not thin) scaly plates on older trunks.

Other Common Names
Catawba Tree
Cigar Tree
Hardy Catalpa
Indian Bean
Western Catalpa
Size

Height: to 60 feet.

Where To Find
image of Northern Catalpa distribution map

Originally native to bottomlands and rich soils of southeast Missouri; now found throughout the state. Native range includes eastern Texas to Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and southeastern Missouri.

Occurs naturally in the Bootheel, in bottomland woods along streams and bases of bluffs, also in upland woods. Naturalized statewide; found in old fields, old homesites, and disturbed areas. Modern landscapers are not keen on this species because of its coarse appearance, "messy" bean pods, and objections to the catalpa sphinx moth larvae, which in some years can nearly defoliate a tree. Nevertheless, for difficult sites with poor soils, a variety of light conditions, hot weather, and low humidity, catalpa remains popular.

Northern catalpa has been used as a windbreak planting, for fence posts, and as an ornamental or shade tree. It is reported that some people develop dermatitis after handling the flowers. Though some consider catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars a big problem, anglers appreciate the free bait!

Catalpas are in the same family as trumpet creeper; note the resemblance in the trumpetlike flowers and podlike fruits. Catalpas are important hosts for catalpa sphinx moths, which in certain years can nearly defoliate the trees. Usually, though, parasitic wasps limit those hungry caterpillars.

Media Gallery
Illustration of northern catalpa leaves, flowers, fruit.
Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
Paul Nelson
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Photo of a northern catalpa tree growing in a lawn.
Northern catalpa has been planted widely and has become naturalized in many places.
Tom DeGomez, University of Arizona, Bugwood.org
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Illustration of northern catalpa leaves, flowers, fruit.
Photo of a northern catalpa tree growing in a lawn.
Similar Species

Where to See Species

About Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines in Missouri
There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground.