Catalpa ovata
Introduction '''''Catalpa ovata''''', the '''yellow catalpa''' or '''Chinese catalpa''' (), is a pod-bearing tree native to China. Compared to ''C. speciosa'', it is much smaller, typically reaching heights between . The inflorescences form  bunches of creamy white flowers with distinctly yellow tinging; individual flowers are about  wide. They bloom in July and August. The leaves are very similar in shape to those of ''Paulownia tomentosa'', having three lobes (two are abruptly truncated on either edge, with a third, central, slightly acute, pointed lobe forming the leaf apex), and are darkly green. Fruits are very narrow, foot-long pods.Although native to the more temperate provinces within China (Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Monggol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang), ''C. ovata'' is also cultivated in North America and Europe, and has become a parent of ''Catalpa × erubescens'' with the American species ''Catalpa bignonioides''. It is commonly used to make the undersides of qin.
Gallery File:Catalpa ovata tree 1.jpg|Tree in flower in cultivation at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (United Kingdom)File:Catalpa Ovata leaves and pods.jpg|Leaves and podsFile:Catalpa ovata.jpg|Closeup of mature Catalpa ovata at sunset
Chemistry The plant contains dehydro-alpha-lapachone (DAL) which inhibits vessel regeneration, interferes with vessel anastomosis, and limits plexus formation in zebrafish. DAL also controlled the development of the fungi rice blast, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, barley powdery mildew and red pepper anthracnose (''Colletotrichum coccodes'' (Wallr) S Hughes). The chemical was particularly effective in suppressing anthracnose.
Other Referenced in the Zhuangzi.
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