ANGIOSPERM TREES 



309 



it is capable of growing to heights of over one hundred feet under 

 the most favorable conditions, which include a rich, moist, well- 

 drained soil. Associated trees on such sites include several of the 

 important hardwood and coniferous species mentioned on previ- 

 ous pages. Growth is rapid during youth, barring undue sup- 

 pression, then slows gradually until maturity is reached at about 

 two hundred years. The wood has the same general qualities 

 and uses as that of the more important eastern ashes. 



The Catalpas 



This genus {Catalpa) numbers but two species in the United 

 States. Both have very large, oval, mostly entire leaves, which are 



Fig. 223. — Both the leaves and the flowers of the catalpa are large and showy. 



arranged in opposite pairs or in whorls of three on the stout, 

 rough twigs. Terminal buds are absent, and the leaf scars are 

 circular, raised at the edges with a depressed center. Their showy 

 flowers are white, often spotted with purple, and borne in large 

 clusters (fig. 223). The fruit is a long, pod-like capsule which 

 splits to free the numerous winged seeds. 



The two species, common catalpa and hardy catalpa, 

 are small trees native to the southern and gulf states. Their woods 

 are light, soft, coarse grained, and very durable in contact with 

 the soil, but their small size and inability to withstand rigorous 



