*Paulownia tomentosa

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*Paulownia tomentosa
EMPRESS-TREE

Paulowniaceae
China

Location: map coordinates R-8 (south side of Baker Building),
N 39°11'9'' W 75°32'47''

Planting history: presently unknown.

Description:
  • medium-sized deciduous tree
  • etymology: Paulownia after Anna Paulowna (Pavlovna) (1795-1865), daughter of Czar Paul I of Russia, Grand Duchess of Russia, and later Princess and then Queen of the Netherlands; tomentosa = hairy (leaves)
  • also called “Princess tree”; commemorating Anna Paulowna, former Princess of the Netherlands (see etymology, above)
  • leaves very large, heart-shaped, tomentose (hairy) beneath; resemble catalpa leaves but always opposite (in 2’s) (and none whorled [in 3’s]), and pith chambered (not solid)
  • flowers attractive; lavender, large, scented, in terminal clusters; in spring
  • fruits oval woody capsules; in clusters
  • wood used to make dowry boxes in China, from a tree planted when a baby girl is born (the tree is fast-growing)
  • habitat open woods, edges; growing wild in all 3 Delaware counties

*Non-native species (not native to Delaware). On the Invasive Watchlist in DE
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