| Bark of old trees thin and scaly; odor of bruised leaves fetid; lower lobe of corolla entire | [1 Catalpa bignonioides.] |
| Bark of old trees fissured and ridgy; odor of bruised leaves not fetid; lower lobe of corolla notched at the apex | [2 Catalpa speciosa.] |
1. Catalpa bignonioìdes Walter. Catalpa. (Catalpa Catalpa (Linnæus) Karsten). [Plate 132.] Medium to large sized trees, usually with a trunk 1-3 meters in length, and a wide crown; bark a grayish-brown, scaly and flaking off in small thin plates; leaves ovate, blades usually 1.5-2 dm. long, cordate at the base, taper-pointed at apex, margins entire, or with 1 or 2 lateral lobes, yellow-green and smooth above, and pubescent beneath; flowering period the last of May to the first of July, about two weeks later than the next species; inflorescence in a rather compact large panicle; flowers white, usually 2-3 cm. across at expanded end; marked on the lower inner surface by two rows of yellow blotches, the lower lobes marked with purplish spots, the lower lobe entire or nearly so; fruit a long pod, generally 4-10 develop in each panicle, usually 1.5-4 dm. long, about 1 cm. thick, somewhat flattened, the valves meeting at an angle which forms a ridge which is sensible to the fingers, the valves of the pod are thin, and become flat after they open; seed 2.5-4.5 cm. long, including the tufts of hairs at each end, and about 4-5 mm. wide, the tuft of hairs usually converging to a point.
Distribution.—Supposed to be native to parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. It has been introduced throughout the eastern part of the United States. In Indiana it has been used in all parts as an ornamental and shade tree. It has few qualities to recommend it, and since the difference between this and the next species has been known the next species is usually substituted for it.
CATALPA BIGNONIOIDES Walter. Catalpa. (× 1/2.)
