Leaves of the Paulownias

They are deciduous trees 10 to 25 m tall, with enormous heart-shaped, five-lobed leaves, 15 to 40 cm wide, in opposite pairs on the branches; hairy on the upper side and downy underneath. They have the characteristic of bearing very large leaves on new branches, which is exploited by gardeners; pruning ensures vigorous growth of new branches.

The leaves serve as fodder or fertiliser due to their high nitrogen content and can measure up to 1 m in diameter, which makes them an ecological resource in the fight against air pollution. They are also used to make tea, rich in protein.