Royal Paulownia
Paulownia tomentosa
Bignoniaceae (Crossvine Family)
▲ larger flowering tree in spring, before leaves emerge
▲▼ smaller flowering trees
▲ flowers
▲ fruit (the larger, round, pod-like structures)
▲ flower buds form the season before
▲ young tree showing fast growth rate
▲ large leaves
Location near campus: on Linwood, across from Xeriscape Garden
Paulownia
tomentosa:
Royal Paulownia, Empress Tree, Princess Tree
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leaves are like northern
catalpa, but opposite, very pubescent underneath and with strong
odor, otherwise similar to northern catalpa
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flowers are purple in terminal panicles, opening before leaves emerge in early
spring
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very fast growing, can be a weedy tree in some areas