Paulownia tomentosa (Princess tree)

A deciduous tree native to central and eastern China and South Korea, it belongs to the Paulowniaceae family. It grows rapidly and can reach thirty to fifty feet tall, with a rounded crown. Its opposite leaves are oval to heart-shaped and covered in velvety hairs. Upright clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers appear in spring. The pale violet to pink corollas have dark spots and yellow stripes. Woody capsules ripen from sticky green to brown and open to release numerous small, winged seeds. It has become invasive in the eastern United States, readily colonizing disturbed ground and forest openings. Wind disperses its abundant seeds, and damaged trees can resprout. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.