Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa, Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 2: 278 (1841))

Family: Paulowniaceae

Author: (Thunb.) Steud.

Bibliography: Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 2: 278 (1841)

Year: 1841

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Paulownia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. China, S. Korea

Description

The Princesstree, scientifically known as Paulownia tomentosa, is a remarkable deciduous tree renowned for its rapid growth and adaptability. Originally described by the prominent botanist Thunberg and later classified by Steudel in 1841, this tree holds a special place in botany due to its unique characteristics and wide range of uses.

Native to central and eastern China as well as South Korea, the Princesstree thrives in these regions’ diverse climates. It belongs to the family Paulowniaceae, a group of trees famed for their lush foliage and ornate blossoms. The Princesstree often grows to impressive heights, with some mature specimens reaching up to 50 feet or more. Its broad, rounded leaves provide ample shade and contribute to its majestic appearance.

One of the most striking features of the Paulownia tomentosa is its beautiful flowers. Blooming in early spring, its pale violet to lavender flowers are arranged in large, showy clusters, creating a spectacular display. These blossoms are not only visually appealing but are also fragrant, adding another layer of sensory delight.

Another notable trait of the Princesstree is its exceptional growth rate. This tree can grow up to 15 feet in a single year under optimal conditions, making it an excellent choice for reforestation and land reclamation projects. Its robust root system also helps in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion.

In addition to its ornamental value and ecological benefits, the Princesstree is highly valued for its wood. Paulownia wood is lightweight yet strong, and it possesses excellent workability, making it a popular choice for furniture, musical instruments, and even traditional carvings in its native regions. Its wood also resists cracking and warping, which enhances its desirability in various industries.

The adaptability of the Princesstree further cements its status as an exceptional species. It can thrive in a variety of soil types, from sandy to clayey, and exhibits a high tolerance for pollution and drought conditions. This hardiness enables it to flourish in urban environments as well as more rural settings.

Though the Princesstree is primarily regarded for its positive attributes, it is important to manage its growth carefully in non-native areas. Due to its rapid growth and prolific seed production, it has the potential to become invasive, outcompeting local flora and disrupting native ecosystems if not monitored properly.

Through its aesthetic appeal, ecological contributions, and economic significance, Paulownia tomentosa, the Princesstree, remains a celebrated and deeply respected tree within both botanical and cultural contexts.

Common Names

Deu: blauglockenbaum, blauglockenbaum, kaiser-paulownie, chinesischer blauglockenbaum, paulownie
Eng: empresstree, foxglove-tree, foxglovetree, karritree, princess tree, princesstree, royal paulownia
Dan: kejsertræ
Fra: paulownia, paulownia impérial
Ita: pawlonia
Hun: illatos császárfa
Swe: kejsarträd
Ces: paulovnia plstnatá, pavlovnie plstnatá
Nld: anna paulownaboom
Cym: coeden bysedd y cŵn
En: Princesstree, Empress Tree, Princess tree, ROYAL PAULOWNIA, Foxglove-tree, Empresstree, Foxglovetree, Karritree, Empress-tree, Paulownia
Af: Kiriboom
Ar: بولفينية كثة الزغب
Hy: Ադամածառ թաղիքանման
Az: Adəm ağacı
Ca: Paulònia
Zh: 毛泡桐, 紫花泡桐
Hr: Paulovnija
Cs: Paulovnie plstnatá, Paulovnia plstnatá, Pavlovnie plstnatá
Da: Kejsertræ
Nl: Anna Paulownaboom
Eo: Ĉina paŭlovnio
Fi: Keisaripuu
Fr: Paulownia, Paulownia impérial, Arbre d’Anna Paulowna
De: Blauglockenbaum, Kaiser-Paulownie, Blauglockenbaum, Kaiser-Paulownie, Chinesischer Blauglockenbaum, Paulownie
He: פולובניה הדורה
Hu: Császárfa, Illatos császárfa
It: Paulonia, Pawlonia
Ko: 참오동나무
Lt: Kininė paulovnija
No: Keisertre
Fa: پالونیا
Pt: Paulónia
Ru: Павловния войлочная
Sr: Пауловнија
Sk: Paulovnia plstnatá
Es: Paulownia
Sv: Kejsarträd
Zh-tw: 毛泡桐
Zh-hant: 毛泡桐
Cy: Coeden bysedd y cŵn

Synonyms

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 4, 2019 by GijsH van Gemert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Laura Becker (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2021 by ruggero leonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Mary Fox (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Ghislaine Devémy (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Šošoslav Šošo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2020 by selen eldogan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2020 by Le Pouma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2020 by Diana Hanušová (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Cyrille BEYT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Hendrikje Murillo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by 2017 KovAphoto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Paolo Ferro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Celia green (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by ru ru (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by witt1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Cyrille BEYT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2021 by dubmigella scapigliata (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by estelle F (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 7, 2020 by david david (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2021 by Jova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2022 by ernesto kochanq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by witt1 (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 4, 2022 by Alboss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Kevin Fabiani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by C T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Hendrikje Murillo (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/3170823)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:185784-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paulownia tomentosa Steud.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.5