Elongate paulownia (Paulownia elongata)

Empress tree
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Paulownia elongata (Elongate Paulownia) - Fast-Growing Timber Tree

Renowned as one of the fastest-growing hardwood trees on Earth, this species produces lightweight yet remarkably strong timber.

It exhibits exceptional adaptability to diverse environmental conditions but generally avoids high-altitude habitats. The species is widely planted in commercial forestry across North America and Asia.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
  • ∟ eudicots
  • ∟ asterids
  • ∟ order Lamiales
  • ∟ family Paulowniaceae (Paulownia family)
  • ∟ genus Paulownia (Empress tree)
  • ∟ species Paulownia elongata (Elongate paulownia)

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Morphology

Paulownia elongata grows into a mature tree reaching up to 30 meters in height, with a broad conical crown and a trunk up to 1 meter in diameter.

Key morphological features include:

  • Leaves: Exceptionally large, cordate blades exceeding 60 cm in width, which are glabrous on top and densely pubescent underneath.
  • Inflorescences: Loose panicles up to 30 cm long containing violet or pale pink blossoms.
  • Flowers: Funnel-shaped to campanulate corollas measuring 7 to 9.5 cm in length and 4 to 5 cm in diameter.
  • Fruits: Ovoid woody capsules that split open to release winged seeds.

Flowering season

Spring

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Applications

This tree serves as an important source of lightweight wood, which is popular for manufacturing furniture and musical instruments. Due to its massive annual production of biomass, it is also cultivated as a feedstock for biofuel.

In urban landscaping, it is planted as an ornamental shade tree due to its attractive purple flowers and high tolerance to shade.

Interesting facts

Under optimal conditions, young trees can grow up to 4.6 meters (15 feet) in their first year, making it one of the most rapid wood-producing plants in the world.

The genus name honors Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, the daughter of Tsar Paul I.

Geography of distribution

  • Anhui
  • Hebei
  • Henan
  • Hubei
  • Jiangsu
  • Shaanxi
  • Shandong
  • Shanxi

Sources

  • Kew Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Tropicos, Missouri Botanical Garden
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also

Princess tree

Princess tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Paulownia tomentosa, known as the empress tree, is an exceptionally fast-growing deciduous tree famous for …

Read more →