Chitalpa

Chitalpa is an intergeneric hybrid flowering tree in the family Bignoniaceae. There are two major forms in North America, the 'Morning Cloud' a hybrid of Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) for desert hardiness and color, and Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), and the 'Pink Dawn' variety formed as a hybrid of Desert willow and either Yellow Catalpa (Catalpa ovata) or Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). Both forms were originally thought to be hybrids of Desert Willow and Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides). The name is nothogeneric, or a combination of the two parents' names. Leaves are lanceolate, 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, almost always in whorls of three. The trumpet-shaped flowers are 2.5 cm (1 in) long and frilly. The inflorescence is indeterminate, with alternately arranged flowers.