288 CHINESE ECONOMIC TEEES 



179 genera, about 2,500 species, distributed over the whole earth. 

 They are extremely varied in habit, ranging from aquatic, or parasitic 

 herbs to tall trees. Many genera are common garden plants, over 30 

 genera are cultivated for ornament in N. America. Several of the 

 Scrophulariaceae are medicinal, the most important being Digitalis pur- 

 purea, a powerful poison, a narcotic, and a heart stimulant. 



PAULOWNIA 



Trees with chambered pith and pale gray, shallowly fissured bark. 

 Leaves deciduous, rarely half evergreen, opposite, simple, entire or 3 

 lobed or coarsely toothed, long petioled, without stipules. Flowers in 

 terminal, erect panicles, appearing before or with the leaves. Calyx 5 

 lobed, campanulate; corolla in a slightly curved tube, unequally 5 lobed 

 at the apex. Stamens 4, included, attached to the corolla. Ovary 

 superior, 2 celled; ovules numerous. Style 1. Fruit a 2-celled, woody 

 or coriaceous, ovoid capsule, dehiscent loculicidally into 2 valves. Seeds 

 minute, numerous, surrounded by a translucent, finely grooved or 

 striated wing. 



About 8 species in China. Introduced into cultivation in Europe, 

 America, and Japan. 



The Paulownias are extremely rapid growing trees with stout 

 branches, large ornamental, white or purplish colored flowers, and woody 

 or membranous, 2 valved capsules enclosing numerous small seeds with 

 curious transparent striated wings which are very beautiful under the 

 lens. The conspicuous, woolly tomentose buds impart a picturesque 

 effect to the winter habit of the tree. 



Paulownia tomentosa Koch. 

 (P. imperialis Siebold & Zuccarini.) 



Tree 15 m. high. Leaves ovate, acuminate, cordate, entire or 

 occasionally 3 lobed, 13-20 cm. long, dark green, pubescent above, gray- 

 green, tomentose below; petiole 8-13 cm. long, tomentose. Panicles up 

 to 28 cm. long. Flowers large, 4-5 cm. long, fragrant, violet colored, 

 the lower lobes marked by dark spots and 2 yellow bands. Calyx and 

 peduncles densely brown tomentose. Capsule ovate, pointed, about 4 cm. 

 long. Seeds minute. 



Native of Central and Western China. 



