Chinese catalpa
Catalpa ovata

Family: Bignoniaceae

What it is like

A tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 9-13 m high. It has a spreading crown. The leaves are broadly oval and downy underneath. The flowers are small and dull white with yellow marks. The pods are long and slender. They grow 30 cm long.

There are 11 Catalpa species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to central China. It grows on slopes between 1,900-2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Arboretum Tasmania. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The flowers and young pods are eaten. The young shoots are used as a potherb.

Edible parts

Flowers, seed pods, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Azusa, Ki-sasage, Native-place tree, Yellow catalpa, Zishu

Synonyms

Catalpa bignonioides var. kaempferi DC.; Catalpa bungei Dippel [Illegitimate]; Catalpa henryi Dode; Catalpa himalayaca Dippel [Invalid]; Catalpa himalayensis Dippel [Invalid]; Catalpa kaempferi (DC.) Siebold & Zucc.; Catalpa nana Dippel; Catalpa ovata var. flavescens Bean; Catalpa wallichiana auct.;