Family: Bignoniaceae
Author: Walter
Bibliography: Fl. Carol.: 64 (1788)
Year: 1788
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Catalpa
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Texas to S. Georgia
Description
Indian-bean, known scientifically as Catalpa bignonioides, is a striking member of the Bignoniaceae family, first documented in 1788 by the botanist Thomas Walter in his work “Fl. Carol.: 64.” This deciduous tree is native to the southeastern United States, specifically thriving from eastern Texas to southern Georgia.
The Indian-bean tree is celebrated for its large, heart-shaped leaves, which can span up to 12 inches in length and 8 inches across. These leaves offer a lush, verdant canopy, making the tree a popular choice for ornamental planting in gardens and urban landscapes.
One of the most distinctive features of Catalpa bignonioides is its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, these white blossoms are splashed with yellow and purple spots, creating an appealing contrast. The flowers grow in large, conical clusters, attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds.
Following the flowering period, the tree produces long, slender seed pods that dangle like beans from its branches. These pods can reach up to 20 inches in length and contain numerous flat, winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
Indian-bean trees are well-adapted to a range of soil types, though they prefer moist, well-drained soils. They are also tolerant of urban pollution, making them resilient choices for city environments. However, they can sometimes become invasive due to their prolific seed production.
In addition to its ornamental appeal, the Indian-bean tree has been utilized in traditional medicine. Various parts of the tree, including its bark and roots, have been used to treat ailments such as respiratory issues and wounds.
Overall, Catalpa bignonioides is a versatile and attractive tree that brings both aesthetic beauty and ecological benefits to the areas it inhabits.
Common Names
Fra: arbre aux haricots, catalpa commun, catalpa de caroline, catalpa de la caroline
Ita: catalpa
Eng: catawba, cigartree, common catalpa, indian-bean, indian-bean-tree, smoking-bean, southern catalpa, american catalpa, cigar tree, indian bean tree, indian bean-tree
Deu: gewöhnlicher trompetenbaum, trompetenbaum
Por: catalpa
Swe: katalpa
Ces: katalpa bignóniovitá, katalpa truba
Hun: szívlevelű szivarfa
Nld: trompetboom
En: Indian-bean, Indian-bean-tree, Cigartree, Catawba, Common catalpa, Southern catalpa, Smoking-bean, Catalpa, American catalpa, Indian Bean Tree, Indian Bean-Tree, Cigar tree, Caterpillar Tree, Black spleenwort
Ar: كتلبة بنيونية
Hy: Կատալպա բիգնոնիանման
Bs: Katalpa
Bg: Каталпа
Ca: Catalpa
Zh: 美国梓树
Hr: Katalpa
Cs: Katalpa trubačovitá, Katalpa bignóniovitá, Katalpa truba
Da: Almindelig Trompetkrone
Nl: Trompetboom
Et: Harilik trompetipuu
Fi: Alabamantrumpettipuu
Fr: Catalpa commun, Catalpa de la Caroline, Arbre aux haricots, Catalpa de Caroline, Catalpa
De: Gewöhnlicher Trompetenbaum, Trompetenbaum, Gemeine Trompetenbaum, Reichfruchtender Zigarrenbaum
He: קטלפה ביגנונית
Hu: Szívlevelű szivarfa
It: Catalpa, Albero dei sigari, Bignonia catalpa, Catalpa comune
Ko: 꽃개오동
No: Vanlig trompettre
Fa: جوالدوزک
Pl: Surmia bignoniowa
Pt: Catalpa
Ru: Катальпа бигнониевидная
Sk: Katalpa bignóniovitá
Es: Ameriška katalpa, Catalpa
Sv: Katalpa
Zh-tw: 美國梓樹
Tr: Katalpa
Uk: Катальпа бігнонієвидна
Synonyms
- Catalpa ternifolia (Cav.)
- Catalpa tibetica (Forrest)
- Catalpa bignonioides var. aurea ((Mast.) Lavallée ex Bureau)
- Catalpa bignonioides var. koehnei ((Hesse) Dode)
- Catalpa bignonioides f. variegata ((Bureau) Paclt)
- Catalpa bignonioides f. koehnei ((Hesse) Paclt)
- Catalpa bignonioides var. nana ((Otto & A.Dietr.) Bureau)
- Catalpa bignonioides f. aurea ((Mast.) Schelle)
- Catalpa bignonioides f. nana ((Otto & A.Dietr.) Paclt)
- Catalpa pumila (Beck & Abel)
- Catalpa bignonioides var. variegata (Bureau)
- Catalpa syringifolia var. nana (Otto & A.Dietr.)
- Catalpa syringifolia var. aurea (Mast.)
- Bignonia spectabilis (Salisb.)
- Catalpa bignonioides f. pulverulenta ((Rob.) Paclt)
- Catalpa bignonioides var. pulverulenta ((Rob.) Bean)
- Bignonia triloba (T.Freeman & Custis)
- Catalpa umbraculifera (Ugolini)
- Catalpa speciosa var. albovariegata (Schwer.)
- Catalpa communis (Dum.Cours.)
- Catalpa catalpa ((L.) H.Karst.)
- Catalpa speciosa var. pulverulenta ((Rob.) W.Paul & G.Paul)
- Catalpa syringifolia var. koehnei (Hesse)
- Catalpa arborea (Baill.)
- Catalpa syringifolia var. pulverulenta (Rob.)
- Catalpa speciosa f. pulverulenta ((Rob.) Rehder)
- Catalpa speciosa f. albovariegata ((Schwer.) Rehder)
- Catalpium amena (Raf.)
- Bignonia catalpa (L.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- South European Russi (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- West Himalaya (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Wim Schigt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Petra Beversdorff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2017 by Claire Tisseyre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Amélie Trocherie (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Lucio Lentola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Petra Beversdorff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2019 by Mohamed Bouguerra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2018 by Markus Bleuler (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Amélie Trocherie (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 2, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 16, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Amélie Trocherie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2017 by Claire Tisseyre (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 15, 2021 by Agustín Fernández (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2019 by H Ed (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2021 by thibaud ghesquier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Petra Beversdorff (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 1, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 7, 2020 by Françoise Peyrissat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2020 by Dominique MALA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Tineke majoor (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172615)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30194969-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Catalpa bignonioides Walter)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Crown
Growth habit>: Tree
Growth rate>: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 5.5