Catalpa ovata

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  • Catalpa ovata

    Catalpa ovata G. Don (China) – An exceptional but possibly overlooked escape from cultivation. Known since at least 2008 from the city of Mons: self-sowing in relative abundance near a park (cracks in pavement, foot of walls, plantations, etc.). Most saplings are regularly removed and Catalpa ovata behaves like an undesirable weed. Since 2010 furthermore found on an old brick quay wall of a city canal (Visserij) in Gent (a single, flowering specimen, obviously present since several years). Self-sown plants are also regularly reported from the Antwerp Zoo.
    In parts of Germany, for instance the Frankfurt-area, Catalpa ovata is more frequent than C. bignonioides (see: http://flora.com2-gmbh.de/customer/sng_flora/foto/createPDF.php?id=3578 and http://flora-frankfurt.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14&id=3578).

    Catalpa ovata, Gent (Visserij), old quay wall, July 2012, W. Vercruysse Catalpa ovata, Gent (Visserij), old quay wall, July 2012, W. Vercruysse
    Catalpa ovata, Gent (Visserij), old quay wall, July 2012, W. Vercruysse  


    References:

    Burk C.J. & McMaster N.D. (1988) The spread of Catalpa ovata G.Don in western Massachusetts and its biogeographic implications. Rhodora 90(864): 461-464.

    Schmid M. (2005) Untersuchung zur neophytischen Gehölzflora im Stuttgarter Stadtgebiet. Jh. Ges. Naturkde. Württemberg 161: 178-257.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith