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Catalpa speciosa flowers, leaf, and bark (Public Domain) |
The Catalpa is a deciduous tree whose varieties can grow nearly everywhere in the United States.
Northern and Southern Catalpa varieties available for purchase as either seeds or saplings
Visually, and feature-wise, you'll notice its blooming white flowers in the spring. Creating a unique look not seen on many trees. Especially not on trees that can grow as large as the Catalpa. Also, later in the season, you'll see the development of its seed pods. When autumn comes, the leaves of the tree will turn brown and fall off once the first heavy frost occurs. Along with its seed pods.
Some consider the Catalpa tree, with its flowers, to be an ornamental tree. Its white flowers certainly do grab your attention.
The Southern Catalpa tree has been known to be used as a medicine with its bark being boiled to make a tea. Other past uses of the trees leaves, flowers, bark, and roots were as a treatment for snake bites,
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The most common species of the Catalpa tree are the Chinese Catalpa
, the Northern Catalpa, and the Southern Catalpa. The Catalpa tree also goes by the Indian bean tree, the cigar tree, and (historically) the Catawba.
Is the Catalpa tree edible?
Parts of the Catalpa tree are edible, but not very tasty or don't have much flavor. The bark, the roots, and likely even the leaves are poisonous.The flowers aren't poisonous though and have a light sweet sweet taste to them. As for the bean pods, they are also edible but they do not taste all that great -- some say it's like eating cotton mixed with sawdust. So, you could eat parts of the tree, but it's not worth it for the taste.
Catalpa Tree Facts, Uses and Planting Tips