Catalpa bignonioides

A medium sized tree with large, opposite or whorled, heart-shaped leaves. It has long, narrow seed capsules. Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is very similar and is sometimes planted in the south but has thicker capsule walls. Catalpa is similar to Paulownia which has two opposite leaves that are much larger than Catalpa which has leaves in whorles of three or four. Catalpa has white flowers and long narrow pods while Paulownia has lavender to purple flowers and rounded, woody capsule.

Stream banks, low woodlands, sometimes planted as an ornamental.