Catalpas
ExplorePlants
Catalpas
Catalpa
Catalpas are beautiful trees with big, heart-shaped leaves and lovely white flowers. They can grow very tall and provide shade for people and animals alike.
Habitat: Urban areas, forests
Appearance
The Catalpas has very large, heart-shaped bright green leaves and distinctive bell-shaped white flowers often spotted with yellow and purple. Its most unique feature is long, slender, bean-like pods that hang from branches, persisting through winter.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyBignoniaceaeGenusCatalpa
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Catalpa wood is naturally rot-resistant, making it super strong!
Its giant heart-shaped leaves are some of the biggest on any tree!
Long seed pods, called 'Indian beans,' can hang like noodles all winter!
Some people call it the 'Cigar Tree' because of its long, thin fruit.
Special abilities
Ability
Giant Leaf Power
Catalpas has huge leaves that provide ample shade, helping it conserve water and cool its surroundings.
Ability
Seed Shooter
Catalpas develops long seed pods that split open to release winged seeds, helping it spread far.
Ability
Bug Lure
Catalpas has showy, nectar-rich flowers that attract many insects, ensuring successful pollination.
Ability
Woody Armor
Catalpas has tough, rot-resistant wood that helps it withstand harsh weather and pests for many years.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-1800 cm
- Spread
- 600-1200 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Visits flowers for nectar
eaten by
Catalpa Sphinx Moth
Ceratomia catalpae
Larvae feed on Catalpa leaves
shelters
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Nests in the dense canopy
eats
Eastern Grey Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
May eat seeds from pods
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Catawba Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths when exploring around trees to avoid tripping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Catalpas?
1000-1800 cm
How wide does Catalpas spread?
600-1200 cm
How big are the flowers on Catalpas?
3-5 cm
When does Catalpas bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Catalpas edible?
No
Is Catalpas toxic?
Mild
What is Catalpas's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Catalpas pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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