Catalpa bignonioides
Catalpa bignonioides, commonly known as Southern Catalpa or Cigar Tree, is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. It grows to 25–40 feet tall with an equal or greater spread and has a trunk diameter up to 1 meter. The tree is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and showy white flowers with yellow spots, which bloom in panicles of 20–40. The fruit resembles bean pods and contains flat seeds with papery wings.
Details
Lamiales
Bignoniaceae
Catalpa
The tree contains iridoid glycosides that deter generalist herbivores but are tolerated by and concentrated in Ceratomia catalpae caterpillars. These caterpillars have a longstanding ecological relationship with the tree and may defoliate it multiple times in a summer without killing it.
It is widely grown as an ornamental tree for its showy flowers and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The wood is used for fence posts and railroad ties due to its durability. Fishing enthusiasts use the caterpillars as bait, particularly for catfish.
June to July
25–40 feet (7.6–12.2 meters)
White with yellow spots inside
Moist soil and full sun, native to the southeastern United States
Info
Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
Tenders
Expert guidance for current/future CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) subsidy applications
