Catalpa ovata
Chinese Catalpa
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
- Height
- 10 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Flowers and young pods - cooked[6]. They are boiled and washed[5]. (possibly in that order so as to remove any bitterness[K])
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Seedpod
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.
The stems are diuretic (strongly)[4][9].
- Product or use
- Diuretic
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - C. China.
- Habitat
- Open country and margins of woods to 2500 metres[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, 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[8]. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 1°c and sow in spring[8]. 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[8]. Root cuttings in winter[8].
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][3]. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Very resistant to atmospheric pollution[7]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, probably more in continental climates[8], they grow best in areas with hot summers[7]. Protect plants from late frosts when they are young[8]. Transplants easily[8]. The flowers are very fragrant[10]. The bruised foliage has an aromatic fragrance[10]. The flowers are considered to be one of the best bee plants in Japan[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
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
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8