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  • Flowering, mature Paulownia tomentosa (Photo: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org)
  • Paulownia tomentosa flower buds and leaves (Photo: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org)
  • Paulownia tomentosa flowers/fruit/cones (Photo: James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, www.forestryimages.org)
  • Immature fruit of Paulownia tomentosa (Photo: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org)
  • Sapling of Paulownia tomentosa (Photo: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Resource Management Archives, www.forestryimages.org
  • Mature seed capsules of Paulownia tomentosa (Photo: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org)
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Common name
empress tree (English), foxglove-tree (English), kiri (Japanese), princess tree (English), karritree (English)
Synonym
Similar species
Catalpa speciosa
Summary
Paulownia tomentosa is a small to medium sized tree, native to Asia that was introduced to North America as an ornamental but is now also commercially farmed. Paulownia tomentosa grows best on moist, well-drained soils on steep slopes or open valleys, but it can also establish itself readily on poor quality sites, such as abandoned surface mines, along roadways, railways and steep, rocky waterways. Paulownia tomentosa is considered to be an aggressive ornamental tree that grows rapidly in disturbed natural areas.
Species Description
Remaley (1998) reports that P. tomentosa \"is a small to medium sized tree in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) that may reach 9-18 metres in height. The bark is rough, gray-brown, and interlaced with shiny, smooth areas. Stems are olive-brown to dark brown, hairy, and markedly flattened at the nodes. Leaves are large, broadly oval to heart-shaped, or sometimes shallowly three-lobed, and noticeably hairy on the lower leaf surfaces. They are arranged in pairs along the stem. Conspicuous, upright clusters of showy, pale violet, fragrant flowers open in the spring. The fruit is a dry brown capsule with four compartments that may contain several thousand tiny winged seeds. Capsules mature in autumn when they open to release the seeds and then remain attached all winter, providing a handy identification aid.\"
Lifecycle Stages
Remaley (1998) states that \"P. tomentosa trees start bearing seed after 8 to\r\n10 years and are very prolific. . . . The seeds of P. tomentosa germinate\r\nquickly and grow rapidly when conditions are favourable. The seeds show\r\ninduced dormancy and require light for germination. Laboratory studies have\r\nfound that light and many other treatments can cause germination. Cold\r\nstorage reduces the light requirement, however. Germination is epigeal.
Uses
P. tomentosa is promoted as a fast growing timber tree, although the fast growth makes for a soft timber which limits its usefulness. It grows more slowly in its native region (China, Japan) where it is used as a cabinet timber and for musical instruments. Bonner (1990) states that P. tomentosa \"was introduced into this country as an ornamental, and it still retains some popularity for that purpose. Its use in reclamation of the disturbed soils of surface mines grows yearly. The wood is highly prized for the manufacture of specialty items in Asia, and there is a brisk export business of logs to Japan. The export market has led to establishment of commercial plantations.\"
Habitat Description
Remaley (1998) reports that P. tomentosa \"grows rapidly in disturbed natural areas, including forests, stream banks, and steep rocky slopes.\" Bonner (1990) states that \"in China, the natural range is south of the 0° C January isotherm in areas which receive an annual rainfall of at least 1020mm. Naturally seeded or planted P. tomentosa survives and grows best on moist, well-drained soils of steep slopes or open valleys, but it will germinate and grow on almost any moist, bare soil. A highly adaptable 'escapee' such as P. tomentosa is found in many site, soil, and forest type conditions, including soils commonly found in the order Alfisols. Like most pioneer species, P. tomentosa needs bare soil, sufficient moisture, and direct sunlight for good seedling establishment. Seedlings are very intolerant of shade. The ability of P. tomentosa to survive, grow, and reproduce on such harsh, exposed sites, however, has made it a favourite for re-vegetating surface mine areas. The tree thrives on dry southern aspects, even though it generally has a shallow root system.\" The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (Undated) reports that P. tomentosa \"tolerates high soil acidity, drought, and low soil fertility.\"
Reproduction
Remaley (1998) states that P. tomentosa also spreads by seed and by\r\nsuckering. \"Each [seed] capsule contains up to 2,000 seeds, and a large tree\r\nmay produce as many as 20 million seeds a year. As the capsules break open\r\non the trees throughout the winter and into spring, wind dissemination\r\noccurs easily. . . . P. tomentosa roots sprout easily. In fact, lateral root\r\ncuttings of 1-year-old seedlings can be used for propagation directly in the\r\nfield.\" Further research has found that large capsules may contain > 2,500\r\nseeds and that seeds can remain in a seed bank for at least 3 years becoming\r\ndormant sometime in the late summer with very little seed predation\r\n(Longbrake, pers. obs.).
Pathway
P. tomentosa was introduced into the USA as an ornamental, and it still retains some popularity for that purpose (Bonner, 1990).The wood of P. tomentosa is highly prized for the manufacture of specialty items in Asia, and there is a brisk export business of logs to Japan. The export market has led to establishment of commercial plantations (Bonner, 1990).P. tomentosa's use in reclamation of the disturbed soils of surface mines grows yearly and this has led to its spread (Bonner, 1990).

Principal source: Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. (Bonner, 1990)
\r\n Princess Tree: Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. (Remaley, 1998)
Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk, (PIER, 2002)

Compiler: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

Review: A. Christina W. Longbrake, Washington & Jefferson College, Department of Biology.

Publication date: 2005-01-24

Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Paulownia tomentosa. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=440 on 07-10-2024.

General Impacts
Remaley (1998) reports that P. tomentosa \"is an aggressive ornamental tree that grows rapidly in disturbed natural areas . . .\" The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (Undated) reports that P. tomentosa \"can also colonize rocky cliffs and scoured riparian zones where it may compete with rare plants in these marginal habitats.\"
Management Info
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of \r\r\nPaulownia tomentosa for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al. (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al. 2004). The result is a score of 9 and a recommendation of: \"Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world.\"

A Risk assessment of \r\r\nPaulownia tomentosa for Australia was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk \r\r\n(PIER) using the Australian risk assessment system (Pheloung, 1995). The result is a score \r\r\nof 7 and a recommendation of: reject the plant for import (Australia) or species likely to \r\r\nbe a pest (Pacific).

Physical: Remaley (1998) States that P. tomentosa, \"can be controlled using a variety of mechanical and chemical controls. Hand pulling may be effective for young seedlings. Plants should be pulled as soon as they are large enough to grasp. The entire root must be removed since broken fragments may re-sprout. Cutting is most effective when trees have begun to flower to prevent seed production. Because P. tomentosa spreads by suckering, re-sprouts are common after cutting.\"

Chemical: \"Cutting should be considered an initial control measure that will require either repeated cutting of re-sprouts or an herbicidal treatment. Girdling is effective on large trees where the use of herbicides is impractical. This method will kill the top of the tree but re-sprouts are common and may require a follow-up treatment with a foliar herbicide. The cut stump method, that is applying herbicide to freshly cut stumps, should be considered for individual trees or when desirable plants are nearby that might be impacted by foliar applications\" (Remaley, 1998).

Countries (or multi-country features) with distribution records for Paulownia tomentosa
ALIEN RANGE
NATIVE RANGE
  • china
Informations on Paulownia tomentosa has been recorded for the following locations. Click on the name for additional informations.
Lorem Ipsum
Location Status Invasiveness Occurrence Source
Details of Paulownia tomentosa in information
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Location note
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Impact
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Impact information
Remaley (1998) reports that P. tomentosa \"is an aggressive ornamental tree that grows rapidly in disturbed natural areas . . .\" The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (Undated) reports that P. tomentosa \"can also colonize rocky cliffs and scoured riparian zones where it may compete with rare plants in these marginal habitats.\"
Red List assessed species 0:
Locations
Mechanism
[1] Competition
Outcomes
[2] Environmental Ecosystem - Habitat
  • [1] Reduction in native biodiversity
  • [1] Habitat degradation
Management information
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of \r\r\nPaulownia tomentosa for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al. (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al. 2004). The result is a score of 9 and a recommendation of: \"Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world.\"

A Risk assessment of \r\r\nPaulownia tomentosa for Australia was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk \r\r\n(PIER) using the Australian risk assessment system (Pheloung, 1995). The result is a score \r\r\nof 7 and a recommendation of: reject the plant for import (Australia) or species likely to \r\r\nbe a pest (Pacific).

Physical: Remaley (1998) States that P. tomentosa, \"can be controlled using a variety of mechanical and chemical controls. Hand pulling may be effective for young seedlings. Plants should be pulled as soon as they are large enough to grasp. The entire root must be removed since broken fragments may re-sprout. Cutting is most effective when trees have begun to flower to prevent seed production. Because P. tomentosa spreads by suckering, re-sprouts are common after cutting.\"

Chemical: \"Cutting should be considered an initial control measure that will require either repeated cutting of re-sprouts or an herbicidal treatment. Girdling is effective on large trees where the use of herbicides is impractical. This method will kill the top of the tree but re-sprouts are common and may require a follow-up treatment with a foliar herbicide. The cut stump method, that is applying herbicide to freshly cut stumps, should be considered for individual trees or when desirable plants are nearby that might be impacted by foliar applications\" (Remaley, 1998).

Bibliography
9 references found for Paulownia tomentosa

Management information
Batianoff, George N. and Butler, Don W. 2002. Assessment of Invasive naturalized plants in south-east Queensland. Appendix. Plant Protection Quarterly 17, 27-34.
Summary: Available from: http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications/p00727aa.pdf/Invasive_naturalised_plants_in_Southeast_Queensland_ranked_list.pdf [Accessed 25 May 2007]
Bonner, F. T. 1990. Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. Silvics of North America: 1. Conifers; 2. Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. vol.2, 877 p. [Online Database]
Summary: Information on habitat, life history, special uses, and genetics of species.
Available from: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/paulownia/tomentosa.htm [Accessed 12 October 2003].
Daehler, C.C; Denslow, J.S; Ansari, S and Huang-Chi, K., 2004. A Risk-Assessment System for Screening Out Invasive Pest Plants from Hawaii and Other Pacific Islands. Conservation Biology Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 360.
Summary: A study on the use of a screening system to assess proposed plant introductions to Hawaii or other Pacific Islands and to identify high-risk species used in horticulture and forestry which would greatly reduce future pest-plant problems and allow entry of most nonpests.
PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk), 2002. Paulownia tomentosa
Summary: Ecology, synonyms, common names, distributions (Pacific as well as global), management and impact information.
Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/paulownia_tomentosa.htm [Accessed 5 February 2003].
Remaley, T. 1998. Princess Tree: Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group: Bureau of Land Management, Washington, DC.
Summary: Information on native range, description, ecological threats, distribution, habitat, background, and current management strategies of species.
Availabe from: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/pato1.htm [Accessed 12 October 2003]
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. UNDATED. Invasive Plant Manual, Common Name: Princess Tree. The Bugwood Network: University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Summary: Information on native range, description, ecological threats, distribution, habitat, background, and current management strategies of species.
Available from: http://www.se-eppc.org/manual/princess.html [Accessed 12 October 2003].
USDA-NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) 2006. Paulownia tomentosa. The PLANTS Database Version 3.5 [Online Database] National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Summary: Available from: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?mode=Scientific+Name&keywordquery=Paulownia+tomentosa&go.x=11&go.y=10 [Accessed 24 March 2006].
General information
ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), 2005. Online Database Paulownia tomentosa
Summary: An online database that provides taxonomic information, common names, synonyms and geographical jurisdiction of a species. In addition links are provided to retrieve biological records and collection information from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Data Portal and bioscience articles from BioOne journals.
Available from: http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Paulownia+tomentosa&p_format=&p_ifx=plglt&p_lang= [Accessed March 2005]
USDA-GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) 2003. Taxon: Paulownia tomentosa. National Genetic Resources Program [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
Summary: Information on common names, synonyms, and the distributional range of species.
Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?27045 [Accessed 12 October 2003].
Contact
The following 1 contacts offer information an advice on Paulownia tomentosa
Longbrake,
A. Christina W.
Organization:
Washington & Jefferson College
Email:
Address:
60 S. Lincoln Street, Washington, PA 15301
Phone:
Fax:
Paulownia tomentosa
empress tree, foxglove-tree , kiri, princess tree, karritree
Date assessed
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Mechanism(s) of maximum impact
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Recommended citation
(2024). Paulownia tomentosa. IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT).