This species from China, of course, is similar to the other various species. It is noted that its pods are usually about 8 to 12 inches long, to 16 inches, and the pods are the thinnest of all, only being about 1/3 inch wide. The 4 to 10 inch long by 4 to 10 inch wide leaves are entire or slightly three-lobed. The flowers are yellowish white in 4 to 10 inch high narrow panicle clusters and are not as showy as the American species. I've only seen this species, that is rare in the US, at Morton Arboretum as a group of several trees on the west side near Lake Marmo. I don't see any real purpose for it outside of East Asia. It is nice that it is so much smaller than the Northern Catalpa. Chinese people like the wood for some kinds of vessels.

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