THE EASTERN CATALPA OR INDIAN BEAN 



THE Catalpa is one of the few trees which rivals the Horse-Chestnut in glorious 

 beauty during the period of blossoming. The great panicles of showy flowers 

 borne on the ends of the branches against the -leafy background of the newly- 

 developed foliage render the tree one of the most conspicuous objects in the landscape, 

 and serve to attract the attention of the most indifferent human observer, as well as the 

 eager presence of swarms of bumble-bees and other insects which cross-pollenize the 

 flowers in return for the nectar and pollen furnished by the latter. These flowers are soon 

 succeeded by the slender, thin-walled pods, which slowly mature through the summer 

 until in autumn, when the leaves fall off, they have reached a length of eight to twelve 

 inches and serve as a ready means of identifying the tree during late autumn and early 

 winter, as they hang from the tips of the smaller twigs. 



Two distinct species of native Catalpas are recognized by the best authorities. 

 The Eastern Catalpa, as it is called, is the species represented on the opposite plate. It 

 has slender pods with thin walls and the tips of the leaf are short-pointed ; the inside of 

 the flower is thickly spotted with reddish dots and the lower lobe is generally entire. The 

 technical name of this species is Catalpa Catalpa. The Western or Hardy Catalpa has 

 stout pods with thick walls, and the tip of the leaf is long-pointed ; the inside of the flower 

 is not thickly spotted with colored dots, and the lower lobe of the corolla is generally 

 notched at the tip. The technical name of this species is Catalpa speciosa. 



The Eastern Catalpa is believed to have occurred originally in certain of the South- 

 eastern States, especially Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, from whence it has been generally 

 distributed through the South. In the East it is hardy as far north as Massachusetts, and 

 has been largely planted for ornamental purposes. At least three well-marked horticultural 

 varieties have been developed from it : one of these has yellow leaves ; another has purplish 

 leaves, especially in spring; and the third assumes a round, compact, bush-like form. 



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