Cigar Tree Catalpa bignonioides
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kah-TAL-pah big-non-ee-OY-deez
- Description
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The Southern Catalpa is a medium sized, flowering deciduous tree with a short, thick trunk and a broadly rounded irregular crown. It is a relatively easily grown shade tree that prefers moderate soils, but is tolerant of clay and wet or dry conditions including seasonal flooding. In nature, it is most often found in rich moist soils by the sides of streams and rivers and it has a reputation for escaping cultivation. It prefers being grown in full sun to part shade and will not grow in full shade. This tree has an irregular shape as it matures and blooms with white flowers that are about an inch and a half in width in early summer. It is a very long-lived tree and after this initial flowering, seed pods are produced which droop from the branches in a unique, string-like display. The genus name comes from the North American Indian name for the tree while the species name means resembling the genus Bignonia.
This tree has an extensive root system and is sometimes grown to stabilize soil. Some negative aspects of this tree are that the irregular shape may not fit with the landscape, seemingly having randomly spreading and crooked branches which can be off-putting. In addition, while the flowers have a pleasant fragrance, the foliage is unpleasantly fragrant when crushed. Note that this tree also flowers later than C. speciosa and retains more of a purple color.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious problems. Catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars can do significant damage. Mildew, twig blight, verticillium wilt, and leaf spots are occasional problems. Leaves can become damaged and look ratty from wind or hail.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
- 'Nana'
- 'Variegata'
- var. purpurea
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Nana', 'Variegata', var. purpurea
- Tags:















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Nana'
- 'Variegata'
- var. purpurea
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Nana', 'Variegata', var. purpurea
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Catalpa
- Species:
- bignonioides
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used for posts and fencing rails, and interior finishes and cabinet work.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern North America
- Distribution:
- East Texas to South Georgia, including Florida, Missouri, Alabama, and Louisiana. Introduced into Central Europe and Spain.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Irregular
- Oval
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- After flowering, seeds appear in long narrow pods (to 15 inches long). Pods mature to dark brown in fall and then split open lengthwise to release the seeds. Seed pods give rise to the common name of cigar tree. Seeds ripen from October to December.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers in early to late summer, but later than C. speciosa and has more purple color, 6 to 12 inch panicle of white, bell-shaped flowers with two rows and ridges of yellow spots and numerous purple spots in early summer. Individual flowers are 1.5 inches across and very ornamental.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, heartshaped slightly pubecent, 10 inches long and 6 inches wide whorled or opposite, simple leaf; has an unpleasant odor when crushed; no significant fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- crooked branches
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil