ExploreTree

Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud.

The Empress Tree is known for its large, purple flowers and can grow really tall! It’s like a giant umbrella in the garden.

Habitat: Gardens and open spaces

Appearance

The Empress Tree has very large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves and showy clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped purple flowers in spring. Its bark is gray-brown and often develops shallow fissures as it matures.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPaulowniaceaeGenusPaulownia

Empress Tree

Interesting facts

Its gigantic leaves can grow larger than a dinner plate, providing lots of shade!

Its scientific name honors Anna Pavlovna, a Dutch Queen and daughter of a Russian Tsar!

Some cultures in Asia traditionally plant an Empress Tree when a baby girl is born.

The wood of the Empress Tree is lighter than balsa wood but surprisingly strong!

Special abilities

Empress Tree can grow incredibly fast, shooting up several meters each year to quickly reach sunlight.

Empress Tree has a strong, deep root system that helps it stabilize soil and access water even in dry conditions.

Empress Tree can produce millions of tiny winged seeds, allowing it to spread easily and colonize new areas.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-25 m
Canopy Spread: 8-15 m
Is Edible: No
Trunk Diameter: 30-60 cm
Lifespan: 50-70 years
Fruit Type: Woody capsule
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen from its purple flowers.

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses on young leaves and shoots.

shelters

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Builds nests among its large leaves.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Spring Blooming

Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with these cheerful plants that burst into beautiful flowers as spring awakens the world.

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!