Catalpa, Southern

The Catalpa is found naturalized in eastern and North Texas and occurs in various qualities of soils, most frequently on rich, moist bottoms. It is typically a medium-sized tree, rarely exceeding 50 ft. in height and 15 inches in diameter. The trunk is usually relatively short and the head broad with spreading branches.

The BARK varies from dark gray to brown, and is slightly rough, being divided into narrow, shallow strips or flakes.
The LEAVES are simple, opposite cordate-based, long-pointed, 6 to 10 inches long and softly pubescent beneath.

The FLOWERS appear in clusters or panicles in April or May, are 1 to 2 inches long, trumpet-shaped, the wavy and spreading corolla is irregular, two-lobed with a narrow notch on the margin; corolla white with purple and yellow markings.

The FRUIT consists of a bean-like capsule 8 to 16 inches long and from 3/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter. It hangs on the tree over winter and gradually splits into two parts or valves. The seeds are about 1 inch long and terminate in wings that are rounded and short fringed at the ends.

The WOOD is rather soft, light, coarse-grained and durable in contact with the soil. It is used for fence posts, poles, fuel and occasionally for railroad ties. It is a mistake to attempt to grow catalpa for fence posts or other uses except on good agricultural soil.