Royal Paulownia

(Paulownia tomentosa)

Interesting Information About Plant:  

     Historically, China has been the world’s largest grower in Paulownia.  The wood of the Paulownia is very unique and is used for making furniture, toys, plywood, musical instruments, housing construction, and for packaging.  The Japanese also had great appreciation for the wood, and most Japanese households would have at least one piece of furniture made from this wood.   

     The Royal Paulownia also has traditional significance.  A Tradition which the Japanese developed was that when a family had a daughter, they would plant a Paulownia tree.  When the daughter got married, the tree would be cut down to make her wedding chest.  They also believed that when the tree was planted close to the house, a Phoenix would come and bring them good luck. 

     The Royal Paulownia can also have several medicinal purposes.   A decoction of the leaves can be used to wash foul ulcers and promote hair growth.  The leaf juice can be used as a treatment to warts.  The flowers are used in treating skin ailments.   

Scientific Name: Paulownia tomentosa

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Scrophulariacea   (Figwort family)

Continent of Origin: China and spread through Asia

Plant Growth Habit: Large Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun

Manner of Culture: Landscape Tree which provides good shade, but considered Weedy in several states

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish 

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: In Some Scattered Areas

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Up-Down  

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Longer Than a Writing Pen

Leaf Complexity: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement: Opposite occasionally Whorled (3 or more leaves per node)

Leaf has Petiole: Yes

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Palmate

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Dry Brown

Flowering Season: Spring 

Flowers: Tightly Clustered  

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower

Color of Flower: Purple-Violet

Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card  

Sexuality: Hermaphroditic

Size of Fruit: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card 

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Acorn-lik

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: No   

Common Name(s): Royal Paulownia, Chinese Empress Tree

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Catalpa, Tulip Poplar dr.

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: Very fast growing tree

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): Yes 

Page prepared by:

Suraj Gathani                                 

November 2004