Southern Catalpa

Arbor Walk #115

The Southern Catalpa is a smaller relative of the Northern Catalpa, keeping the large cordate leaves and long seed capsules, but with more vivid flowers and unpleasant-smelling leaves. Although it is relatively constrained in its native range in the Southeastern U.S., it is able to withstand a variety of conditions and has naturalized in many places across North America. Ecologically, the Southern Catalpa supports the Catalpa Sphinx moth, which can prodigiously defoliate the tree while causing no long-term damage.

Common Name(s)Southern Catalpa
Latin NameCatalpa bignonioides
Indigenous Name(s)
Cultivar/Variety
Commercial Name