Catalpa bignonioides
Author: Jonathan Barclay Hunt
Common Names:
- Southern Catalpa
- Indian Bean Tree
- Smoking Bean
- Indian Cigar
Higher Taxa:
- Class:
- Order:
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Subfamily:
- Tribe:
- Genus: Catalpa
- Species: Bignonioides
Identification:
The name catalpa comes originally from the word Catawba, which was used by the Indians to identify the plant. A genus of 11 species of deciduous trees with large simple or 3 lobed leaves and panides or racemes of 2-tipped,bell or funnel-shaped flowers that are followed by long cylindrical pods. Most of the species are grown as ornamental while others are used for timber. The tree itself grows to 15 meters. The leaves are malodous when crushed. The flowers are numerous and in physical appearance are white with yellow and purple marks in the throat.
Geography:
Table I: North American distribution of C.Bignonioides
Catalpa Bignonioides