Princesstree, also known as Royal Paulownia, is a fairly common weedy small to medium tree from Asia. Abundant along roadsides, it sometimes also invades natural habitats. The purplish flowers are quite showy in early spring.

Madison Co. NC 5/11/08.

The huge, velvety, sticky leaves are unique. The light wood (kiri in Japanese) is used in Japan for making furniture, especially bridal chests.

Flower buds.

Orange Co., NC 3/11/07.

The trees are spectacular in bloom, brightening up the edges of interstate highways and other disturbed areas in late April and early May.

The flowers are strongly scented — sweet and musky with overtones of licorice and lilacs.

Chatham Co., NC 5/2/04.

The dry capsules split open in winter, shedding thousands of tiny wind-dispersed seeds. You can see a couple of them falling in this photo.

Orange Co., NC 3/11/06.

The capsules last into early spring.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

The bark is light gray with very shallow fissures and warty lenticels.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Madison Co. NC 5/11/08.