Paulownia tomentosa

Scientific Name: Paulownia tomentosa
Common Name: princess-tree

Purple flower clusters (up to a foot/30 cm in height!) help identify princess-tree.
Photographer: Gary Fleming

Find out more on NatureServe Explorer

Search for photos of this species within the NatureServe Flickr photo stream.


A quickly-reproducing non-native invasive tree in the U.S., princess-tree spreads thousands of seeds each year. Seeds easily germinate on disturbed soil (such as soil exposed by upturned trees, burned forest areas, and cleared lots).

Click on the Flickr icon to see the characteristic huge heart-shaped leaves of this tree. (Do not confuse with Catalpa.)