The Catalpa is a flowering plant genus in the Bignonia family native to regions of North America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Asia.The name is derived from the Muscogee word for the tree, ‘kutuhlpa,’ which means ‘winged head,’ and is unrelated to the Catawba people’s name. Between 1729 and 1732, Mark Catesby used the spellings ‘Catalpa’ and ‘Catalpah,’ and in 1753, Carl Linnaeus published the tree’s name as Bignonia catalpa.Catalpa bignonioides (southern catalpa) and Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa) species are known as Indian bean tree and cigar tree, respectively, because of their bean-like seed pods.They are tough, adaptable trees with a moderately long life span of 60 years or so. It is also used as a land redevelopment tree because it grows successfully in areas where other species may struggle due to air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, or drought.Though the wood of the trees is quite soft, when well seasoned, it is popular for turning and furniture because it is attractive, stable, and easy to work with. It is utilized in the tonewood in guitars. Physical Features Of The Catalpa TreeThis deciduous tree grows 40–60 ft (12–18 m) in height, with branches extending to a diameter of 20–40 ft (6–12 m). Also used as an ornamental tree, it prefers a sunny site and moist, rich soil, but it can grow in various soil types, from acid to calcareous.Catalpa trees grow quickly and can reach a height of 20 ft (6 m) after ten years.Although growth is rapid at first, it slows with age as the crown rounds out and the tree spreads.They feature huge, heart-shaped large leaves, which can be three-lobed in some species.The appearance of the leaf can lead to confusion with unrelated species such as the tung tree (Vernicia fordii) and Paulownia tomentosa. The species produce broad panicles of showy flowers in the summer.They begin flowering after 275 days, and white flowers are produced in cluster form.The fruit resembles green beans. The fruits appear in late summer or early fall and are about 8–20 in (50 cm) long, with two thin wings to aid in wind dispersal.The ‘green beans’ have no nutritional or savory properties.Although the fruits look like bean pods (hence the name ‘Indian bean tree’), they aren’t typically eaten.The tree species are attractive to many bird species because of their huge leaves and dense foliage, which give adequate shelter from rain and wind.Most species bear flowers after three years and bear fruit after five years, though the Haitian catalpa (Catalpa longissima) can flower after six months of growth from seed and bear fruit after 18 months.The bark of the catalpa tree is thin, so it gets damaged by mechanical force.Catalpa bignonioides (southern catalpa) and Catalpa speciosa (northern catalpa) are native to North America and have beautiful blossoms and forms.Northern catalpa and southern catalpa trees have extremely similar leaves, flowers, and bean pods, but the northern form has larger leaves, flowers, and bean pods.Catalpa ovata, which has pale yellow flowers and is native to China, is also planted for ornamental purposes outside of its natural range. Catalpa bignonioides (southern catalpa) and Catalpa ovata were able to hybridize as a result, and the resulting Catalpa erubescens became a cultivated ornamental.The best time to relocate the young plant to its permanent location is in the spring. Select a corner in your garden that gets either full sunlight or partial shade.When planting in your garden, adjust the roots to point outwards and downwards as you cover them with soil. This promotes the healthy growth of the plant and keeps the roots from emerging in the future.Life Cycle Of The Catalpa Tree WormCatalpa worms only feed on trees in the genus Catalpa, which includes native northern and southern catalpa (C. speciosa and C. bignonioides, respectively) and non-native species such as Chinese catalpa (C. ovata), which is occasionally planted as an ornamental. Catalpa worms are larvae of the catalpa sphinx moth.The female deposits her eggs in clusters on the leaves. These eggs are translucent, milky-white, green, or yellow.After oviposition, eggs incubate for seven days before hatching. The worms emerge with yellow and black color structures.There is also a ‘pale’ phase, in which the black striping is less prominent or absent entirely, and a shade of white has taken its place.It eats the leaf of the northern catalpa and, more often, the southern catalpa, also known as catawba or Indian bean tree, with a growth length of around 2 in (5 cm).They are highly sought after as bait by fishermen.When hundreds of larvae consume the tree’s foliage, it frequently develops areas of defoliation that give the tree a ragged appearance.The larvae burrow about 3 in (7.6 cm) into the soil to pupate.The thorax of an adult sphinx is brown with a dark brown or black circular ring around it.A narrow, dark mark runs down the middle of each forewing, with a white dot in the cell. The body measures about 3 cm (30 mm) in length. The wingspan ranges from 6.5-9.5 cm (65-95 mm)The life cycle is complete when the large adult sphinx moths emerge, mate, and lay more eggs. Two or three lifecycles are usual during a growing season.Medicinal Uses Of The Catalpa TreeThey are used in traditional medicine to treat conditions ranging from skin infections to conjunctivitis to asthma, even though there’s no scientific evidence to support these claims.According to the USDA, pioneers in the 19th century used seeds and pods to treat asthma, whooping cough, and various heart diseases.In herbal medicine, teas and poultices made from the bark and leaves are commonly used as laxatives and mild sedatives and treat skin wounds and abrasions, infections, snake bites, and even malaria.There is also some scientific evidence that fruits have diuretic properties (pods and seeds).According to medical herbalist Andrew Chevallier’s ‘The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants,’ the roots are highly poisonous, even though the fruits, bark, and leaves are considered safe. As a result, a specialist should only handle or supervise herbal preparations.Problems Of The Catalpa TreeCatalpa sphinx moth larvae can consume vast amounts of leaves. Infested catalpa trees may be entirely defoliated if caterpillars are plentiful. Although a catalpa tree can withstand this, if the caterpillar population is not controlled, successive generations of larvae can completely defoliate and kill the tree.Defoliated catalpas develop new leaves; however, following broods may eat new foliage if many generations occur. Several fungi can cause leaf spots on the trees.The leaves become yellow and fall off when the weather is harsh because of powdery mildew coating.Trunk rots are tree fungi that enter through wounds and rot the heartwood of catalpa trees. By fertilizing and watering the catalpa tree, you can avoid wounding it and keep it in good condition.Verticillium wilt affects the tree. Branches die, and the catalpa tree as a whole may perish.Rabbits are drawn to catalpa trees and can cause significant damage by chewing the bark of the trunk and gnawing on the tree’s low branches and foliage. Tree damage is most severe in the winter and spring when rabbit food sources are scarce.Scorch can cause the leaves to turn brown during hot, dry seasons.The catalpa trees may be chlorotic as a result of high soil pH.The trees shed heavily in the fall and winter, scattering leaves, flowers, and seeds across sidewalks, driveways, and cars. To keep the mess under control, regular maintenance is required.
The Catalpa is a flowering plant genus in the Bignonia family native to regions of North America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Asia.
