Yeah, I knew them as “Indian Cigars.” Never attempted to smoke one, or anything else for that matter, not that my folks would have been uptight about it (Mom smoked, unfortunately smoking herself to death) but I never cared for the idea. But we had a catalpa tree in our back yard. I think if a brown one was actually lit, it would burn rapidly.
Ha! Silly me, I thought you meant catalpa pods for their medicinal effect on snake bites!
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/all-you-need-to-know-about-catalpa-trees-701533.html
Sorry about your mom. I lost mine to a smoking related illness, too. By the time she quit, it was too late.
I don’t smoke, either - never have. Hate the smell. “;^(