Hybrid Catalpa - Keele University
Norway Maple

Keele University Arboretum

Hybrid Catalpa Catalpa x erubescens

Origin: This is a hybrid between Yellow Catalpa C. ovata and Indian Bean Tree C. bignonioides originating in Indiana and was introduced to the UK in 1891.

Hybrid Catalpa leaf   Hybrid Catalpa flower  

The tree: in shape, it can be huge and spreading dome or tall and conical.

Bark: the bark is grey or grey-brown, becoming deeply fissured and ridged with age.

Leaves: the distinctive leaves are purple on emerging, turning bright green later. From the picture you can see that they are large with three distinct points and two less so.

Flowers: The flowers appear quite late, in early August through to September/October. They are very attractive being white tinged with yellow and spotted with purple in a tall open panicle (see picture).

Fruit: the fruits comprise long brown pods filled with a kind of cotton wool.

At Keele : The only tree can be found at the right-hand side of the Huxley Building; square K8, compartment 36c; tag 3733.

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