Native to central USA, like its close relative Indian Bean, but extending slightly further north, hence its other name Northern Catalpa. This means it is a little more hardy in Britain and Ireland. Also known as Catawba. Introduced 1880.

Native to central USA, from east Texas to south Georgia.

Monoecious. Insect-pollinated. Wind-dispersed.

Medium (25m), about half as wide, with a leafy dome, usually single-trunked with sinuous branches. Bark grey-brown, maturing into deep ridges and flaky scales. Twigs grey-brown with suction-cup-like leaf scars; buds whorled in threes. Foliage flushes late (June) and often falls at first frost with little colour. Leaves very large (35cm), ovate, mostly glabrous above, pale brown downy below, long-tapering tip, cordate or rounded base, on a long (10-15cm) petiole. Flowers in loose upright panicles (15-20cm), white, bell-shaped (3-6cm), frilled and purple-streaked with two yellow throat spots, fragrant, July. Fruits slender bean-like pods (20-40cm), turning brown and woody, persisting over winter before releasing winged seeds.

Hardy to -15°C and, as it is late to flush, usually safe from spring frosts. Prefers warm sites in full sun, but tolerates a wide range of soils providing they are well-drained.

Flowers attract pollinating insects.

Some susceptibility to verticillium wilt.

More usually valued as an ornamental where introduced; in its native range its highly durable timber is sought after. Though only available in short lengths from its sinuous growth, it is lightweight and stable, used for railway sleepers and fence posts.