Catalpa

Catalpa, an interesting genus of hardy trees of the order Bignoniaceæ, of which two species are natives of the United States, and two others (decidedly distinct) of Japan. The genus was named by Catesby, probably from the Catawba River, where he first found them in 1726. The Common Catalpa (C. bignonioides) known also as the Bean-tree, Catawba, Indian Bean, and Cigar-tree, is a low and much-branched tree, seldom more than 30 or 40 feet high, extensively grown in the northern states and in southern Europe for ornament, but naturally found chiefly in the Gulf states. Its wood is light, soft, and not strong, but exceedingly durable. It is used for fence-posts, rails, and railway sleepers. Still more noteworthy is the Western Catalpa or Shawnee Wood (C. speciosa), which is a much larger and handsomer tree, now largely planted for ornament and in timber preserves. Its wood is soft, light, and durable, and is very useful, not only for the commoner and coarser purposes of the carpenter, but also for cabinetmakers' and joiners' use. C. longissima has been called Chêne des Antilles on account of the excellence of its timber. The bark is a source of tannin. The Japanese Catalpas are small and unimportant. The low habit, the profuse blossoms, and the long, cigar-like, pendent pods of the catalpas are easy marks of distinction from other trees.