Catalpa bignonioides / Albero dei sigari

Origin: South-east of U.S.

Botanical characteristics: It is a medium-sized fast-growing ornamental tree up to 15 mt high.
It is a plant with rounded crown. It is particular for its large leaves, showy flowering and long fruit called cigars. Leaves are very large, about 25 cm, and oval-heart-shaped, slightly lobed, light green, pubescent on the underside. The upright panicles of flowers bloom in June-July and consist of bell-shaped white flowers speckled with yellow and red dots. Fruits are pod-shaped capsules from 15 to 40 cm long. At first they are green, then brown and persist on the plant until the flowering of the following year.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It prefers deep moist soils, but it can adapt to all lands. It is sensitive to wind and has a good resistance to urban pollution.

Use: It is mainly used as an ornamental plant for its flowering, especially in parks and gardens and for urban roads or parking lots. It dislikes pruning.