Catalpa bignonioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its range extends through the territories of Germany, Hungary, and the area encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is also well-established within Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing throughout the mainland of Spain. Additionally, its distribution reaches the island archipelago of the Baleares.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Catalpa bignonioides is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives within specific altitudinal parameters. This species is typically found distributed across an elevational range that begins at 500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. Its presence in these lowland habitats suggests an adaptation to specific moisture and temperature regimes consistent with these lower elevations, allowing it to establish itself within the structural complexities of its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Catalpa bignonioides is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are elevated above the ground on woody stems, a trait that defines its structural life form. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which dictates its cyclical patterns of growth and dormancy. Through these biological mechanisms, the plant maintains a long-term presence in its ecosystem, transitioning between active vegetative stages and periods of seasonal rest.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Catalpa bignonioides is characterized by its robust growth form, specifically identified as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that functions independently, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 6 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 17.47 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

17.47 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Catalpa bignonioides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by its foliar dimensions, where the leaves exhibit a consistent width of 14 cm, as both the minimum and maximum recorded measurements align at this value. In terms of longitudinal development, the leaf length can reach a maximum of 20 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf width mean:

14 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Catalpa bignonioides is a specialized process driven by biotic pollination and anemochorous dispersal. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, beginning in June and concluding in July. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically involving birds to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops elongated fruits that reach a mean length of 40 cm and a mean width of 8 cm. These fruits produce seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.0229 g, though individual seed weights can range from a minimum of 0.015 g to a maximum of 0.0353 g. Seed dispersal is primarily anemochorous, though it also exhibits unspecialized dispersal characteristics. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, meaning it relies entirely on sexual reproduction for propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length mean:

40 cm

Fruit width mean:

8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0353 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0229072223333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.015 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Catalpa bignonioides has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,6-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, Catalpin, Catalpinoside, FAT, RAFFINOSE.

5,6-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone

1. Dr. Duke

Catalpin

1. Dr. Duke

Catalpinoside

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

RAFFINOSE

1. Dr. Duke

SFA

1. Dr. Duke

Stachyose

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Catalpa bignonioides has 197 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelopathic, Allergenic, Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiEBV

1. Dr. Duke