Foxglove-trees
What are they?
The foxglove-trees form the family Paulowniaceae, a small group of trees native to warm-temperate and subtropical Asia. They get their name from the large and showy panicles of flowers that bear a resemblance to the flowers of foxgloves.
Where are they found?
These trees are occasionally found where planted in churchyards, cemeteries, parks and other open spaces.
Identification
With only one species likely to be found, identification is relatively straightforward. The large leaves are rather like those of the Catalpa species but are distinctly downy on the underside.
Foxglove-tree Paulownia tomentosa
Introduced from Eastern Asia as a garden ornamental and occasionally planted as an amenity tree or in cemeteries and churchyards. This species is also increasingly appearing around Cambridge where it is self-seeding from established plants. Flowers April to May. A deciduous tree to 25m in height. In cultivation, plants are sometimes regularly cut down, resulting in strong, suckering growth that can produce leaves up to a metre across, though 30cm is more usual on established trees.
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