Northern Catalpa, Western Catalpa
- Broadleaf deciduous tree, 40-60 ft (12-18 m) tall and 20-40 ft (6-12 m) wide, may much larger in the wild, irregular oval crown, coarse. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, very large, 15-30 cm x 7.5-20 cm, ovate to ovate-oblong, base truncate to cordate, tip long acuminate, margin entire, medium green and glabrous (without hairs) above, densely pubescent below. Flowers about 5 cm long, white tube-shaped, yellow spots inside lower petal, some purple spots also, borne in large upright terminal clusters (panicles). Fruit develop into long pods, 40 cm long or more, 1.5 cm wide, thick walled, persist through winter; contain numerous oblong, winged seeds.
- Sun and partial shade. Very tolerant of soil type, but prefers deep, moist, fertile soil. Withstands wet or dry and alkaline conditions and extremely hot, dry environments. Short lived, 50 years above average.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 4 Native to Illinois and Indiana to western Tennessee and northern Arkansas.
- Oregon State Univ. campus: west side of Burt Hall (Orchard & 27th).