Catalpa tree – Catalpa speciosa

• 28 Nov, 2009
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The name derives from the Catawba Native American name catawba for these trees (the tribal totem), with the spelling Catalpa being due to a transcription error on the part of the describing botanist (Scopoli) making the first formal scientific description of the genus.

Historically catalpa wood has been valued for manufacturing fence posts. Pioneer doctors used the seedpods and seed to make a decoction for chronic bronchial infections, spasmodic asthma, labored breathing, and heart conditions

In Japan -- the magical bow Azusa-Yumi is called the "bow made from the catalpa tree".