Paulownia is a medium-sized, deciduous tree with superposed, scaly buds. Leaves are opposite, entire, or shallowly lobed. Leaves may be somewhat toothed on young plants. Lavender flowers open in terminal panicles. The fruit is a two-valved capsule with numerous winged seeds.
| I. | Leaves are simple and large, 43/4—10 inches (12—25 cm), and sometimes 20 inches (51 cm) long. Leaves are usually entire but are sometimes three-lobed on vigorous plants. Pith is chambered or sometimes hollow. Buds are normally superposed (one above another). Flowers are large, violet, and slightly fragrant. May or June flowers are followed by fruit in September to November. |
| Paulownia tomentosa–Royal Paulownia (Empress Tree) |
Royal Paulownia (Empress Tree)–Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia is an introduced tree from China and Japan reaching 50 feet in height. This tree has escaped cultivation in few local areas of southern Ohio. In the Smokey Mountain National Park this tree has destroyed native vegetation on rocky sites such as cliff faces and is viewed as a serious weed. This is a danger that should be considered when introducing exotic species. This tree has proven to be quite urban-tolerant and is common in the inner cities of the south. It reseeds itself readily in disturbed urban sites where it is not winterkilled.
Leaves are simple, and large, 43/4—10 inches (12—25 cm), sometimes 20 inches (51 cm) long. Leaves are usually entire but may be three-lobed on vigorous plants. Leaves are broad and heart-shaped, and they gradually taper to a point. The leaf base is cordate.
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| Royal Paulownia (Empress Tree) | |
Buds are normally superposed (one above another). Twigs are olive brown in color, pubescent, stout, and heavily lenticeled. Pith is chambered or sometimes hollow. Catalpa has similar foliage but has continuous pith. Flower buds are borne in terminal panicles and are conspicuous through the winter. The flower buds make an excellent identification feature.
Flowers are purple and fragrant. Individual flowers are over an inch (25 mm) in diameter and are borne in terminal panicles that are a foot (30 cm) long. The flowers are carried against the foliage as a backdrop and are quite attractive in summer. The dark brown fruit is a two-valved, 1-inch (25 mm) diameter capsule with numerous winged seeds that mature in September to November. Fruit holds throughout the winter in 1 foot (301/2 cm) long, upright panicles and is a good identification feature, as are the flower buds.
More recently, this tree has become a timber-crop plant and is being raised on plantations. This is one of the most valuable timber species in the United States despite the fact that the wood is not used in this country. It is the preferred wood for oriental lacquer ware. Population pressure prevents it from being grown in its former range. It is an excellent export crop for the United States. Ohio is the northern limit of its adaptability. In Ohio, paulownia winterkills easily unless cold-hardy seed sources are used. Even then the plant can be damaged in an unusually cold winter as happened in the Smokey Mountains a decade ago.