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Useful Tropical Plants

Paulownia fortunei

(Seem.) Hemsl.

Paulowniaceae

+ Synonyms

Campsis fortunei Seem.

Paulownia duclouxii Dode

Paulownia meridionalis Dode

Paulownia mikado T.Itô

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Paulownia fortunei is a tree with a conical crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, but is often less than 20 metres. The straight bole can be up to 200cm in diameter. The tree is deciduous in temperate climates, becoming evergreen in tropical areas[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Paulownia species in general are valued for their fast growth and light but strong wood; they are increasingly being grown as a plantation timber and in soil stabilization and restoration projects. The tree is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its fast growth and floral display.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - eastern and southern China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Vietnam, Laos

Habitat

Mountain slopes, forests, mountain valleys, wastelands; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitSemi-deciduous Tree
Height18.00 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Paulownia fortunei is a moderately cold-hardy plant, though it needs to grow in areas with long hot summers in order to fully develop its hardiness. In such regions it is able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant, though in areas with cooler summers it can be damaged by considerably less cold conditions. Young plants are also much more susceptible to cold than more mature specimens, whilst the spring growth and flowering of plants of all ages can be damaged by late frosts[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
1212
Title
New Trees
Publication
 
Author
Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H.
Publisher
Kew Publishing; London
Year
2009
ISBN
1842461737
Description
Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
]. The plant can be found from the warm temperate zone of southern China, just entering into the tropics in Vietnam and Laos, and is also sometimes cultivated in tropical areas.
Paulownia species generally grow best in an open, sunny position in a deep. moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
All the species in this genus produce attractive spring displays of sweetly-scented flowers and can be grown as ornamentals[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Branches tend to be brittle and the large leaves are liable to wind-burn, so it is best to site trees in a position that is sheltered from strong winds[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
A fast-growing species[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Paulownia fortunei is a fast-growing tree that can build up humus levels and fertility in the soil. When growing in areas polluted by heavy metals it has been shown to concentrate various of these metals in its tissues - especially lead, zinc and copper. It has a high potential for use in phytoremediation projects, either as a means of removing these metals or as a means of locking them up and helping to restore the fertility of the soil[
1623
Title
The evaluation of heavy metal accumulation and application of a comprehensive bio-concentration index for woody spec
Publication
Environ Sci Pollut Res
Author
Xiulian Zhao et al
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2393-3
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The tree has proven to be very effective in the phytoremediation of manganese contaminated soils, growing quickly and concentrating manganese in its aerial parts, with a quantity transfer coefficient (the ratio of above to below ground uptake) of 2.32 in 5 year old trees[
1627
Title
Growth and heavy metal accumulation of Paulownia fortunei and Koelreuteria bipinnata in an ecological restoration si
Publication
China Environmental Science, 2016, 36(3):908-916
Author
Ouyang L. et al
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant seems capable of cleaning air polluted with chlorine[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Other Uses

We have no specific information on the wood of this species, but Paulownia species in general have a good quality, lightweight timber. The reddish-brown wood is comparatively soft and has a beautiful grain[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. It is not generally attacked by insects. It is used for making delicate furniture, cabinets, musical instruments etc, and is also used for items such as boxes, clogs, floats and general wood work. It is also used in construction, being good for posts and beams[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The wood yields an excellent charcoal that can be used for high class fireworks and gunpowder[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers in a sunny position[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Sow stored seed at 15 - 20°c[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. The seed requires light for germination[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Fair to good germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for a few weeks until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, in a frame[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Root cuttings 4cm long. Good percentage[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-11. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Paulownia+fortunei>

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