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

leaves are like northern catalpa, but opposite, very pubescent underneath and with strong odor, otherwise similar to northern catalpa
flowers are purple in terminal panicles, opening before leaves emerge in early spring
very fast growing, can be a weedy tree in some areas