What kind of tree does this seed come from?

August 8, 2011 7:46 AM

Please help me identify these seeds/pods found outside the Cité des Sciences & l'Industrie museum in Paris, France. There are a bunch of trees there and I'd like to know what kind they are. Seed pods closed and opened up. I also found a photo of the trees in bloom here. Thanks!
posted by bjrn to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

Looks to be an Empress Tree, Paulownia tomentosa. More pictures on Google Images.
posted by jedicus at 7:50 AM on August 8, 2011

That definitely looks like the right one. Thanks!

And in just four minutes too!
posted by bjrn at 8:35 AM on August 8, 2011

Thanks for asking this; I have some of the same pods and wondered what they were!
posted by Specklet at 8:54 AM on August 8, 2011

Paulownia is used to make excellent furniture.

Sometimes planted when a girl is born to make a hope chest when she grows up. They grow incredibly fast.
posted by humboldt32 at 10:21 AM on August 8, 2011