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| ## southern catalpa {#southern-catalpa .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Catalpa bignonioides* Walt.                                          |
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| Plant Symbol = CABI8                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center and Kansas
State University Forestry Research.

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Catalpa, katalpa, American catalpa, eastern catalpa, catawba, bean tree,
Indian bean, Indian cigar tree, Shawnee wood, caterpillar tree, worm
tree, fish bait tree, fisherman's tree

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Southern catalpa is primarily used today as a large ornamental shade
tree. It is widely planted in urban areas as a street and lawn tree.
Conservation uses include being planted in windbreaks. Some plant it to
attract the catalpa worm, which are harvested and used as fish bait.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description and Adaptation {#description-and-adaptation .Header-3}

######## Trumpet-creeper Family (Bignoniaceae). It is a perennial deciduous tree which readily grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9. This is a U.S. native. At maturity, the height can vary from about 25 to 40 feet. Catalpas prefer moist, deep, well drained soil, but adapts to dry or wet soils. The soil pH may range from 5.5 to 7.0. It prefers an open sunny space to partial shade. The crown is often forked. Its longevity is about 40 to 50 years.

The tree bark is separated into irregular shallow fissures with
reddish-brown scales. On young tree seedlings the bark is thin and
easily damaged by impact, or rodents.

Twigs in winter have a unique identifying characteristic. They have
sunken leaf scars which resemble suction cups. Their whorled arrangement
of 3 "moon crater" scars per node is another trait easily identified.
They are grayish-brown in color.

Leaves are simple, may be opposite or whorled (3 per node), pinnately
veined, 5 to 12 inches long , 4 to 6 inches broad, heart shaped at the
base, and have a long petiole with entire margins and soft pubescence on
the underside, which is also a lighter green than the top surface.

The flowers of catalpa are perfect. Flowering takes place from May
through July. They occur in bell-shaped corollas of 5 lobes. Individual
flowers are showy, with the 5 petals in each flower being unequal in
size, white with purple spots and orange stripes at the throat, in
branched, upright clusters. The petals are up to 1.5 inches long.

Seedpods are slender and green in the summer growing from 6 to 24 inches
long, and ½ inch wide looking 'cigar like'. They mature in the autumn,
turn brown, split open lengthwise to let seeds fall in the spring. The
seedpod generally stays attached to the tree limb over winter.

It was first cultivated in 1726. It was originally found in the Gulf
Coast states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
It has since spread to many states east of the Rocky Mountains.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

When placed as an ornamental in a yard setting care must be taken to
ensure it is not too close to a building, fence, property line or septic
system. Ample space should be provided to let it reach a mature height.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

The biggest management problems with a catalpa tree used as an
ornamental are litter and smell. It will drop a heavy load of flowers in
the spring, then a plentiful supply of leaves in the fall, and finally a
lot of large seedpods in the winter. Green leaves give off a
disagreeable odor when crushed.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Larva of the catalpa sphinx caterpillar (*Ceratomia catalpae*) eats
leaves. Almost complete defoliation may occur in some years.

Verticillum wilt will make the branches die, and can eventually kill
trees. Powdery mildew causes a white powdery coating on the leaves. When
severe the leaves turn yellow and drop.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

It is an invasive, weedy tree which escapes cultivation easily. The
flowers, long seedpods and seeds fall down from spring through winter,
and create a mess on the ground anywhere near the tree.

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

There are two species of catalpa native to North America, northern
catalpa (*Catalpa speciosa*) and southern catalpa (*Catalpa
bignonioides*). They appear very similar but are two distinct species.
Two varieties of *C. bignonioides* have been documented: 'Aurea' and a
dwarf variety named 'Nana'.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*Dr. Wayne A. Geyer,* Kansas State University Forestry Division,
Manhattan, Kansas

##### 

##### *Patrick J. Broyles,* Formerly USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center Manhattan, Kansas

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

##### *John Row,* USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center Manhattan, Kansas

##### Edited: 27June05 rln; 01June 06 jsp; 081121 jsp {#edited-27june05-rln-01june-06-jsp-081121-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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