Appearance

Growth form

A deciduous shade tree that commonly reaches about 40–70 ft (12–21 m).

Leaves

Large heart-shaped leaves often grow opposite each other or in groups of three.

Flowers

The white trumpet-shaped flowers have yellow stripes and scattered purple spots inside.

Flowering time

In Missouri, it blooms in late spring to early summer.

Fruit

The long, narrow pods hold many winged seeds and often remain on the tree in winter.

Look-alikes

southern catalpaCatalpa bignonioides

Look closely at an open flower: northern catalpa has a shallow notch on the lower lip and fewer purple spots. Southern catalpa has a more heavily spotted lower lip.

Why they get mixed up · Both have broad leaves, white flowers, and long pods.

Chinese catalpaCatalpa ovata

Chinese catalpa's smaller flowers are pale yellow. Northern catalpa has larger, mostly white flowers.

Why they get mixed up · Their long pods and broad leaves look similar.

	Flower color	Inside the flower
northern catalpa	White	Fewer purple spots
southern catalpa	White	Dense purple spots
Chinese catalpa	Pale yellow	Purple and orange spots

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• River bottoms
• Parks and streets

Range

Native to bottomlands of southeastern Missouri and nearby parts of the central United States; now planted across much of the country.

Preferred conditions

It grows in sun or partial shade and tolerates both damp ground and poor, dry soils.

Connected species

Ties with other wildlife

Catalpa sphinx caterpillars feed on its leaves in the United States.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction