Japanese Catalpa Catalpa ovata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kuh-TAL-puh oh-VAY-tuh
- Description
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Chinese Catalpa is a small deciduous tree native to China's forests. It self-seeds easily and has naturalized in some areas of the U.S.A. In its mature form it can be an attractive rounded shade tree but it often grows out of shape and its large leaves can become damaged as the growing season progresses making them less attractive. It is an ideal tree for that tricky low wet spot or an area with poor soils. It prefers moist loamy soil high in organic matter and full sun to partial shade.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Catalpa
- Species:
- ovata
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval food source for the sphix moth caterpillar.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Slender green seed pods mature to brown 16" long 1/3" wide split lengthwise to reveal white fluffy seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3/4" yellow-white with purple and orange spots, bell-shaped flowers on 10" long panicles. Flowers that resemble orchids appear in late spring, not as showy as C. bignoniodes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large 10" long and wide ovate light green entire to lobed margins. Cordate at the base and pointed at the tips. Smooth except for hairy veins on the undersides. insignificant yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Ridged and fissured gray-brown
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weak Wood
- Weedy
