catalpa

/keuh tal"peuh/, n.

any of several trees constituting the genus Catalpa, of the bignonia family, esp. C. speciosa, of the central U.S., or C. bignonioides, of the southern U.S., having opposite, sometimes whorled leaves, clusters of white flowers, and long, beanlike seed pods. Also called Indian bean.

[1720-30, Amer.; ( < NL) < Creek katalpa, equiv. to ka-, comb. form of iká head + talpa wing (appar. so called from the shape of the flower)]

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Any of 11 species of trees in the genus Catalpa (family Bignoniaceae), native to eastern Asia, eastern North America, and the West Indies.

Catalpas have large, attractive leaves and showy white, yellowish, or purplish flowers. The catalpa fruit is a long cylindrical pod bearing numerous seeds with white tufts of hair at each end. The common catalpa, C. bignonioides, yields a durable timber and is one of the most widely planted ornamental species.

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▪ plant

      any of 11 species of trees in the genus Catalpa (family Bignoniaceae), native to eastern Asia, eastern North America, and the West Indies. Catalpas have large, attractive leaves and showy, white, yellowish, or purplish flowers. The catalpa fruit is a long cylindrical pod bearing numerous seeds with white tufts of hair at each end. The common catalpa is C. bignonioides, which yields a durable timber and is one of the most widely planted ornamental species.

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