Description

Leaves: Similar to southern catalpa (C. bignonioides); medium green and hairless above, paler green and somewhat hairy below; 4" to 8" in length and 3" to 8" in width; simple; whorled or opposite; apex steeply tapering (short pointed), base square or heart-shaped; rarely lobed; strong odor when crushed; long petiole (4" to 6"); deciduous.

Twigs/buds: Similar to southern catalpa; twigs green and later reddish to grayish brown, sunken leaf scars with whorled nodes in winter. Buds reddish brown, small; no terminal bud; scales overlapping.

Flowers/fruit: Rarely flowers. Fruit, if it exists, is similar to that of southern catalpa.

Bark: Similar to that of southern catalpa; red-brown scales; fissured; thin and easily damaged when young.

Wood: Unimportant; weak; like southern catalpa, it should be moderately resistant to heartwood decay.

General: Of French origin. A grafted dwarf cultivar of Southern catalpa that looks like a large mushroom, globe, or umbrella. Grows to 10' or 15' in height, with a bushy form. Canopy rounded, uniform, and dense. Does well in open areas with full sun.

Landscape Use: Rarely flowers. Normally grafted at 4' to 5' above ground. Zones 5-9.

Characteristics