Southern Catalpa
Catalpa bignonioides
Photographed by Mike Plagens along Coon Creek in the Sierra Ancha, Gila Co., Arizona, USA. 07 Aug. 2009.
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LEAVES: Large heart-shaped leaves sometimes with one or two triangular
lobes.
TREE: In Arizona's sycamore woodlands Southern Catalpa is an escape from
cultivation; it grows in the moister soil such as near springs. Because it is
setting seed and reproducing it has become naturalized. It can also be
considered an invasive weed if it becomes abundant and crowds out native
plants.
FLOWERS: Large tubular flowers with flared, bilaterally symetrical
petals. White with yellow spotting and occasionally streaked with pink or
purple.
RANGE: Native to the southeastern United States, but now widely
cultivated elsewhere. This tree is related to
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) ... hybrids between the two
species have been produced; a large example is planted near city hall in
Phoenix, Arizona.
FRUIT: Long turgid pods with many winged seeds.
UNARMED. No spines or thorns.