NORTHERN CATALPA
(Catalpa speciosa)
Leaves: In [whorls] of 3 or more, occasionally opposite, heart-shaped, 8″-12″ long and 6″-8″ wide; margin entire or wavy; smooth above, hairy beneath.
Twigs: Stout, yellow-brown; no buds at the ends. Side buds small, appear to be hidden in bark. Large, nearly round, depressed [leaf scars] are characteristic.
Fruit: Bean-like, 8″-18″ long, narrow; pod separates into two halves when ripe, hang on tips of branches all winter; many seeds, each with long white hairs on both ends. Flowers in July, arranged in terminal clusters about 8″ long; each showy flower white with yellow and purple spots, 2″-3″ in diameter.
General: Bark light brown, scaly; slightly furrowed on older trees. A medium to large-sized tree. Native to the Mississippi Valley. Usually planted for shade purposes in this State but its wood is durable and useful for posts. The less hardy Southern catalpa (C. bignonioides) with slender pods has also been planted in Pennsylvania.
COMMON PERSIMMON
(Diospyros virginiana)
Leaves: Simple, alternate, 4″-6″ long, dark green and glossy above, paler and often wooly below; margins smooth or wavy.
Twigs: Grayish brown, smooth, sometimes velvety. No end bud; each side bud covered by 2 glossy dark brown scales.
Fruit: Fleshy berry, large (¾″-2″ in diameter), plum-like, orange to red, parts of the flower remain attached to the base (see sketch); seeds 1-8, flat, rather large. Edible but often astringent when fully ripe in autumn.