130 Native Trees of Kentucky 



FAMILY Bignoniaceac. 



In Kentucky, this tropical family is represented by one genus 

 Catalpa with two species : 



a. Catalpa Catalpa speciosa. 



b. Catalpa Catalpa bignonioides. 



a. JTcstcni Catalpa Catalpa speciosa. 



Catalpa speciosa is reported in Ohio River bottoms in Western 

 Kentucky, below the mouth of Wabash River. 



The strong, elastic wood has a beautiful grain and is sus- 

 ceptible of a fine polish for furniture and interior trimmings. A 

 tall, straight trunk, rapid growth and extreme durability in con- 

 tact with the soil make this Catalpa peculiarly suitable for mine 

 timbers, telegraph poles and railroad ties ; for commercial uses, 

 large tracts have been planted with these trees in different parts 

 of the country and several plantations have been started in Ken- 

 tucky. Catalpa speciosa is also much prized as a shade and orna- 

 mental park tree, because of its dark, tropical foliage and large 

 panicles of showy, perfect, white flowers. 



Catalpa is an Indian word given to these trees by the Cherokee 

 Indians. 



Tree tall, upright trunk with short, stiff, dead-looking 



branches. 



Bark brown, breaking into thin scales. 

 Leaves simple, opposite or in whorls, large, heart-shaped, 



thick and firm. 



Fruit slender, bean-like capsules, 10 to 20 inches long, filled 

 with flat, winged seeds ; wings frayed at edges into 

 many soft threads. 



