Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Scrophulariales>Scrophulariaceae>Paulownia tomentosa (Thunberg) Siebold & Zuccarini ex Steudel

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa) flowers leaves

Princesstree, also known as Royal Paulownia, is a fairly common weedy small to medium tree from Asia. Abundant along roadsides, it sometimes also invades natural habitats. The purplish flowers are quite showy in early spring.

Madison Co. NC 5/11/08.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The huge, velvety, sticky leaves are unique. The light wood (kiri in Japanese) is used in Japan for making furniture, especially bridal chests.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Flower buds.

Orange Co., NC 3/11/07.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The trees are spectacular in bloom, brightening up the edges of interstate highways and other disturbed areas in late April and early May.

The flowers are strongly scented — sweet and musky with overtones of licorice and lilacs.

Chatham Co., NC 5/2/04.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The dry capsules split open in winter, shedding thousands of tiny wind-dispersed seeds. You can see a couple of them falling in this photo.

Orange Co., NC 3/11/06.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The capsules last into early spring.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

The bark is light gray with very shallow fissures and warty lenticels.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa) bark

Madison Co. NC 5/11/08.

More information:
NC State Fact Sheet
Plant Conservation Alliance Fact Sheet
Silvics Manual
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology
USDA PLANTS

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