Walking up (down?) South Allen in Albany Tuesday evening we were struck by this unusual (to us) tree -- huge leaves, and these white flowers with speckled purple lines.
By the way: The high temp Tuesday was 90 degrees, the highest temperature here since September of last year, according to the National Weather Service.
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Comments
The tree is a Catalpa, aka an "Indian cigar tree" due to it's very long and hypothetically smokeable seed pods.
... said chezjake on Jun 18, 2014 at 1:21 AM | link
You're looking at the catalpa tree (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalpa). It's a strange and beautiful tree, but a mixed blessing since it drops presents all year long - flowers (that turn rotten and stinky rather quickly) in the late spring/early summer, huge leaves in the fall, and sharp bean pod husks all winter and into early spring. Despite the headache, we've come to love the shady giant in our front yard and are dreading the day that we have to take it down.
... said Sean on Jun 18, 2014 at 8:56 AM | link
Looks like a Catalpa.
... said Jim on Jun 18, 2014 at 9:05 AM | link
@chezjake, Sean, Jim: Thanks for the identification!
... said Greg on Jun 19, 2014 at 9:01 AM | link