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Catalpa (the Indian name of C. bignonioides). Bignoniaceae. Ornamental trees, often cultivated for their handsome flowers appearing in large and showy panicles in summer, and for their heavy foliage.
Leaves usually deciduous, opposite, long-petioled, entire or coarsely lobed: fls. in terminal panicles; calyx splitting irregularly or 2-lipped; corolla campanulate, 2-lipped, with 2 smaller upper and 3 larger lower lobes; fertile stamens 2, curved, with diverging anther-sacs, not exceeding the tube of the corolla; style 2-lobed at the apex; slightly longer than the stamens: fr. a very long cylindrical caps., separating into 2 valves, with numerous small oblong compressed seeds bearing a tuft of white hairs on each end.—About 10 species in N. Amer., W. India and E. Asia, of which 6 are hardy in the northern temperate regions.
Catalpas are deciduous or rarely evergreen trees with opposite or sometimes whorled, long-petioled, large and simple leaves emitting in most species a disagreeable odor when bruised, and with white, pinkish or yellowish flowers in large and showy panicles followed by very long and narrow cylindric pods.
The coarse-grained and soft wood is very durable in the ground, and, therefore, much valued for fence-psts and railway ties. Catalpa bignonioides and particularly C. speciosa are sometimes planted as avenue trees. For formal gardens, if low round-headed trees are desired, C. bignonioides var. nana is to be recommended. They grow in almost any somewhat moist soil, and are hardy as far north as New England. Propagated by seeds sown in spring, in the North, best with slight bottom heat, or by cuttings from ripe wood, the varieties often by softwood cuttings in early summer or by grafting on seedlings or on roots under glass in spring; also increased sometimes by layers and root cuttings.
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:''For the historical incident involving a ship of this name, see [[Catalpa rescue]]. For the album by Jolie Holland, see [[Catalpa (album)]].''
:''For the historical incident involving a ship of this name, see [[Catalpa rescue]]. For the album by Jolie Holland, see [[Catalpa (album)]].''
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