OF Ohio 



103 



CATALPA 



Catalpa speciosa. Warder 



THIS Catalpa, also called Catalfa, Hardy Catalpa, Indian 

 Bean and Cigar Tree, was formerly planted widely on 

 account of its reputed rapid growth, and its very durable 

 wood. The leaves are simple, opposite or 3 may occur in a 

 whorl, heart- 

 shaped at base, 

 long taper-point- 

 ed, 6 to 10 inches 

 long, 4 to 5 inches 

 wide. The odor of 

 bruised leaves is 

 not fetid. 



The flowers ap- 

 pear in May or 

 June, are white 

 with yellowish 

 and purplish spots 

 within, arranged 

 in large erect clus- 

 ters 8 to 10 inches 

 high. The lower 

 lobe of the corolla 

 is notched. The 

 fruit is a long, 

 bean-like capsule 

 containing many 

 flat-winged seeds. 

 It often persists far 

 into winter. The 

 bark on old trees is 

 fissured and ridgy, 

 dark grayish- 

 brown. The twigs arc stout, smooth, yellowish-brown, 

 marked with large leaf-scars. The buds are very small, less 



The wood is durable, light brown, with satiny surface 

 and kerosene-like odor. It is especially well suited for fence 

 posts and rails. The Hardy Catalpa was originally native 

 from southwestern Indiana to southeastern Missouri and 

 northeastern Arkansas. Insect and frost damages have 

 checked the growth of many plantations. The Hardy Ca- 

 talpa has been planted rather widely in Ohio, but it holds 

 little promise for the future. An occasional specimen tree 

 does well. Thrifty trees develop straight trunks and reach 

 large size in the forest. Another Catalpa— Catalpa bigno- 

 nioides, Walter — a native of the southern states, is less hardy, 

 remains smaller, and its stem is usually less straight. 



CATALPA 



