ExploreTree

Catalpa

Catalpa

The Catalpa tree has large, heart-shaped leaves and beautiful white flowers. It provides a perfect spot for playing in the shade!

Habitat: Fields and parks

Appearance

The Catalpa is a medium-sized tree with strikingly large, heart-shaped leaves and showy clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers often spotted with yellow and purple. Its most distinctive feature is the long, slender, bean-like seed pods that can hang from branches all winter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumAnthophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyBignoniaceaeGenusCatalpa
Catalpa
deciduous trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgeforest trait badge
Catalpa

Category

Tree

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Catalpa trees are sometimes called "Cigar Trees" because their long seed pods look just like cigars!

Catalpa wood is naturally resistant to rot, making it great for fence posts and outdoor projects!

Despite looking like beans, Catalpa pods are toxic if eaten by humans or pets.

Its giant heart-shaped leaves can grow over a foot long, making them huge among trees!

Special abilities

Ability

Pollinator Magnet

Catalpa flowers produce abundant nectar, helping them attract bees and hummingbirds for successful reproduction.

Ability

Winter Seed Store

Catalpa's long, persistent seed pods keep seeds safe and disperse them gradually throughout the winter.

Ability

Pest Protector

Catalpa leaves produce compounds that naturally repel some insect pests, helping it stay healthy.

Measurements & details

Height
10-25 m
Canopy Spread
10-15 m
Is Edible
No
Trunk Diameter
60-120 cm
Lifespan
50-100 years
Fruit Type
Long bean-like pods
Growth Rate
Fast
Leaf Type
Deciduous

Ecological connections

eats

Catalpa Sphinx Moth

Manduca catalpae

Larvae feed exclusively on Catalpa leaves.

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar from abundant Catalpa flowers.

pollinates

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Visits the showy flowers for nectar.

depends on

Human

Homo sapiens

Used for ornamental planting, shade, and durable timber.

Traits

Also known as

Cigar TreeIndian Bean TreeWestern Catalpa

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Catalpa?

10-25 m

How wide does Catalpa spread?

10-15 m

Is Catalpa edible?

No

How big is Catalpa?

60-120 cm

How long does Catalpa live?

50-100 years

Where is Catalpa usually found?

Fields and parks

What kind of fruit does Catalpa produce?

Long bean-like pods

How fast does Catalpa grow?

Fast

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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