About 17 species of tall, deciduous trees, having thick branches without terminal buds. Leaves opposite, usually large, cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, entire or 3-5 lobed, often pubescent, especially below. Flowers appearing before leaves, corolla tube elongated, widening at the apex, violet to white, calyx deeply 5 parted, 4 stamens. Fruit a leathery capsule with many small winged seeds. Native to eastern Asia.
Paulownia: after Anna Paulowna (1795-1865), daughter of Paul I, Tsar of Russia, princess of the Netherlands.
Pronunciation:
paw-LO-nee-a
Family:
Paulowniaceae
Scrophulariaceae