Catalpa speciosa
Native to a relatively small area extending from western Tennessee, northeastern Arkansas and the lowlands of southeastern Missouri north to southern Illinois and southern Indiana but naturalized through much of eastern North America the northern catalpa is medium sized tree with heigh at maturity ranging from 40-70’. Speciosa means “showy”, and this tree lives up to its name in late spring when it boasts a very showy, orchid like flower. The leaves on the catalpa are large and heart shaped with an uncommon whorled arrangement. A whorled arrangement is when 3 or more leaves equally spaced around a single node.
