Catalpa bignonioides

Catalpa bignonioides, common name Southern Catalpa, is a perennial dicot tree native to the southern united states from Georgia to Florida and west of the Mississippi.  It has a rapid growth rate and a long lifespan. The Cherokee Native Americans called it Catalpa. It has many medicinal benefits such as a treatment for asthma and bronchitis when the seeds are boiled to make a tea.  It is commonly grown as an ornamental tree, with its bright green leaves and beautiful white flowers.  It has long, skinny, cylindrical pods which contain the seeds.  As a functional use, its wood is often used as fencing and also houses some of the best fishing bait, catalpa “worms” .  It is a zone 4 plant found between 0 and 2,632 meters.

 

Image Source:

• Seed pod picture - http://luirig.altervista.org/
• Map Image - http://plants.usda.gov/
• Flower - http://www.bomengids.nl