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Northern Catalpa

Researched by Angelique Arnoldy

Species: Catalpa speciosa
Common name: Northern Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Hardy Catalpa,
Family:  Bignoniaceae (Bignonias Family)
Clade:  Angiosperm (flowering seed plants)

Coordinates:  39.71028, –75.12096

Tree Tag: No Tag An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

Welcome! You have found your way to one of the many Catalpa speciosa trees that live on Rowan’s Glassboro campus. More commonly known as the northern catalpa, this species belongs to the larger plant group called Bignoniaceae. The species has other nicknames, too, such as the cigar tree or the hardy catalpa. This group is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of North America, the Caribbean, and East Asia. Serving as an ornamental tree, northern catalpas can be found by bodies of water or near naturalized areas such as roadsides or clearings. Typically a fast growing species, it ranges in height from 15 to 40 meters and ranges in width of about 12 meters.

Starting from the base of the tree, the wood and bark is a grayish brown. Appearing thick, scaly, or ridged the bark becomes furrowed with age. The soft wood is used in construction for fences, houses, cabinets, and furniture. As your eyes go further up the tree, you’ll start to notice the sizable leaves. This tree’s leaves are large in size ranging from four to twelve inches and are cordate, or heart-shaped. The leaves can be attached to branches in whorls of three or in opposite directions. The adaxial side of the leaf is smooth and dark green. Flipping the leaf over to the abaxial side, it is lighter in color and hairy. Depending on what season you are observing the tree, the leaves may be a vibrant green. Towards late September, the leaves will start to turn yellow before falling off – making this a deciduous tree. Read More

Northern Catalpa Leaf Illustration
An image of the northern catalpa in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa seedpod in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa seedpod in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa leaf in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa seedpod in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa trunk in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in autumn in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in winter in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the northern catalpa in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image fo the northern catalpa growing leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image fo the northern catalpa growing leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image fo the northern catalpa growing leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography

Angelique Arnoldy

Biological Science (2023)

I am studying Biology and minoring in Environmental Science to pursue a degree that will set me up for graduate school to study Botany. I have been surrounded by plants since childhood and not until recent years have I grown a fond appreciation. I now have my own personal collection of plants at home and I currently work at a plant store. This helped me gain a familiarity with different species and helped me identify species in my daily encounters. The diversity of plants can show you how vast the world truly is.

Suggested Citation:

Arnoldy, Angelique. (2022, Dec). Northern Catalpa. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/northern-catalpa/

Questions to Explore

  • What are some ornamental uses for the Northern Catalpa?
  • What are some medicinal uses for the bark, leaves, and seeds of the Norhtern Catalpa?
  • Why does the catalpa sphinx moth feed on the Northern Catalpa?

References

Foster, S. (1999). Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants. Houghton Mifflin

Little, E. (1980). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Northern American Trees. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 

Martine, C. (2007). Trees of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic States (J. Kuser, J. Benton, D. MacFarlane, & T. O’Leary, Eds.; Sixth). New Jersey Forest Service Forest Resource Education Center.

Schowalter, T. (2017). Arthropod Diversity and Functional Importance in Old-Growth Forests of North America. Forests, 8(4), 97. | Link

Wikipedia contributors. (2022, November 3). Catalpa. Wikipedia. | Link

Wikipedia contributors. (2022, November 3). Catalpa. Wikipedia. | Link

 

Rowan University Resources

You may need to log into the Rowan University Library website

Northern Catalpa: Beautiful grain but erratic supply | Link

Fruit set, herbivory, fruit reduction, and the fruiting strategy of Catalpa speciosa (Bignoniaceae) | Link

Northern Catalpa: Three Giant Trees and One Giant Bull | Link

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