Catalpa bignonioides
Indian Bean Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Catalpa genus in the family Bignoniaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Genus
- Catalpa
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 15 m
- Spread
- 12 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The roots are highly poisonous[10].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A tea made from the bark has been used as an antiseptic, antidote to snake bites, laxative, sedative and vermifuge[6]. As well as having a sedative effect, the plant also has a mild narcotic action, though it never causes a dazed condition[13]. It has therefore been used with advantage in preparations with other herbs for the treatment of whooping cough in children, it is also used to treat asthma and spasmodic coughs in children[13][10]. The bark has been used as a substitute for quinine in treating malaria[10]. The leaves are used as a poultice on wounds and abrasions[6]. A tea made from the seeds is used in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis and is applied externally to wounds[6]. The pods are sedative and are thought to have cardioactive properties[6]. Distilled water made from the pods, mixed with eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) and rue (Ruta graveolens) is a valuable eye lotion in the treatment of trachoma and conjunctivitis[13].
- Product or use
- Antidote
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Cardiac
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Vermifuge
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fast-growing tree with an extensive root system, it has been planted on land that is subject to landslips or erosion in order to stabilize the soil[13]. Wood - coarse and straight-grained, soft, not strong, moderately high in shock resistance, very durable in the soil. It weighs about 28lb per cubic foot. It is highly valued for posts and fencing rails, and is also used for interior finishes, cabinet work etc[11][12][14][7].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- South-eastern N. America - Florida, Alabama, Missouri and Louisiana.
- Habitat
- Rich moist soils by the sides of streams and rivers[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown outdoors, or in a cold frame, as soon as it is ripe[4]. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 1°c and sow in spring[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings, 10cm long, in a frame. They should be taken in late spring to early summer before the leaves are fully developed[4]. Root cuttings in winter[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good moist loamy soil and a sunny position that is not exposed[1][2]. Tolerates heavy clay soils[4]. Very resistant to atmospheric pollution[3]. Plants become chlorotic on shallow alkaline soils[5]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, probably more in continental climates[4], they grow best in areas with hot summers[3]. Protect plants from late frosts when they are young[4]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is fast-growing in the wild where it often flowers when only 6 - 8 years old[8]. The sweetly-scented flowers are borne in forked panicles at the end of branches[9]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[3][4][5]. The trees transplant easily[4]. The crushed foliage has an unpleasant smell[5]. Another report says that the leaves are attractively scented when bruised[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X