The catalpa (
Catalpa bignonioides) is flowering this week in the arboretum. The beautiful, fragrant white flowers can be found near the Fitness Center. There are two trees, both located on the northside of the Fitness Center ramp.
The two catalpas are less than five years old. In 2013, seeds were collected from an old homestead near Springhill, Louisiana, and they were immediately potted in the campus greenhouse. The seedlings grew up fast. In 2015, two of the little trees were planted in the arboretum. One tree was planted at the bottom of a gradual slope, and the other tree was planted at the bottom of a very steep slope. Both trees are healthy and blooming wonderfully, but there is a clear size difference. The tree planted at the bottom of the gradual slope is double the size of the other. The photos below were taken of the larger tree.
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| The catalpa is pictured left of center. A pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) stands further back, along the concrete drainage. This is a low spot in the arboretum, so whenever it rains, this area stays wet longer. The other catalpa is planted on the opposite side of the concrete drainage, on a much steeper slope, where water quickly runs off. |
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| The catalpa is pictured center. Further back stands a bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), near the Fitness Center ramp. This is the larger of the two catalpas. It is growing tall and staying slender. It has a gangly appearance, with its asymmetrical skinny branches topped with large clumps of leaves. |
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| Catalpa leaves are big, but they don't hide the branches. |
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| The heart-shaped leaves are very large, measuring over a foot. The topside is dark green with smooth, wavy edges. These pretty green leaves are also known for having an unpleasant odor when crushed. The leaves of this particular tree have a faint polecat odor, only when crushed. |
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| This petiole measures almost 5 inches. |
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| Underneath the leaves are whitish-green. |
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| The underside feels velvety. |
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| Frilly, white trumpet flowers are clustered together on a panicle |
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| Up close we see purple dots and splotches of orange. The flowers also have a pleasant fragrance. |
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| The bark on this 5-year-old specimen is mostly gray and a little rough. |
For more information about this species consult the following:
United States Department of Agriculture
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours (LSU AgCenter)
NC State Extension
