The name catalpa is said to come from a Cherokee Indian word that means bean tree. The seed pods look like large string beans. Speciosa is from the Latin meaning species. Catalpa is sometimes called cigar tree, also referring to the long seed pods that are visible from mid-summer and into fall.

What kind of trees have long beans?

After the flowers have fallen, one’s gaze shifts to the long and slender green seed pods. Growing 12-22 inches long, these are why the catalpa is known by some as the “green bean tree”. Northern catalpa grows great in full sun to part shade.

What trees have bean-like pods?

The bean-like pods are characteristic of many members of the family, including mimosa (Albizia spp.), laburnum (Laburnum spp.), maakia (Maakia spp.), acacia (Acacia spp.) and honeylocust (Gleditsia spp.). Other trees, like the catalpa (Catalpa spp.) have similar, elongated seed pods, but their leaves are large.