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

o   leaves are like northern catalpa, but opposite, very pubescent underneath and with strong odor, otherwise similar to northern catalpa

o   flowers are purple in terminal panicles, opening before leaves emerge in early spring

o   very fast growing, can be a weedy tree in some areas