Empress tree
Paulownia tomentosa
Washington State Classification
Monitor List
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Deciduous trees, typically growing 30 to 60 feet tall.
Leaves
The leaves are arranged opposite each other on the stems. They are broadly ovate (egg) to cordate (heart) shaped. Leaves on adult trees are 6 to 16 inches long, not lobed to somewhat 3-lobed. Leaves are sparsely hairy above and densely hairy on their undersides. Stump spouts, suckers, may have leaves that are twice as large.
Flowers
The flowers are in upright pyramidal clusters (panicles) of showy, fragrant flowers. The petals are fused in a tube that widens towards the tip, ending in 5 spreading lobes. Flowers are light purple with yellow markings inside and bloom before the leaves emerge. Flower buds are light brown, hairy spheres that can be found in the winter.
Fruit & Seeds
Capsules, hairy and glandular, maturing from light green to brown, with four chambers, containing up to 2,000 small winged seeds, 2.5 to 4 mm.
Impact
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact Danika Davis, with Gray's Harbor County Noxious Weed Control Board, to report locations of where plants are found growing outside of ornamental plantings.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Planted as an ornamental tree species, princess tree has become invasive in parts of the eastern United States, notably some southeastern states.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Plants spread by seed and by root suckering.
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