Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides, Arbust. Amer.: 106 (1785))

Family: Salicaceae

Author: W.Bartram ex Marshall

Bibliography: Arbust. Amer.: 106 (1785)

Year: 1785

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Populus

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to Mexico

Description

The Eastern cottonwood, known scientifically as Populus deltoides, is a prominent species within the Salicaceae family. This deciduous tree is widely recognized for its rapid growth and robust stature, making it a remarkable feature in the landscapes it inhabits.

The Eastern cottonwood is notable for its substantial distribution, thriving in regions extending from central and eastern Canada down through Mexico. This broad range underscores the tree’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions. It is often found near rivers, plains, and other areas with ample water supply, where its extensive root system helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

Characteristically, the Eastern cottonwood boasts broad, triangular leaves with a distinctive serrated edge, which flutter gracefully in the wind due to their flattened petioles. In the spring, it produces delicate, catkin-like flowers, which eventually give way to cottony seed tufts that float through the air, resembling snow—a trait that has earned the tree its common name. These seeds, carried by the wind, aid in the tree’s effective dispersal across its native range.

The tree’s economic and ecological importance cannot be understated. Historically, populations of Populus deltoides have been instrumental in industries such as timber and paper production due to their fast growth and the quality of their wood. Ecologically, Eastern cottonwoods play a crucial role in their native habitats, providing shelter and food for various species of wildlife, from birds to insects.

Additionally, the Eastern cottonwood has cultural and historical significance. Native American tribes have utilized the tree for various purposes, including making canoes and crafting tools from its wood. The species was first scientifically described in “Arbust. Amer.: 106 (1785)” by W. Bartram ex Marshall, emphasizing its long-standing recognition and study within the botanical community.

In summary, the Eastern cottonwood is an essential species within the Salicaceae family, remarkable for its adaptability, ecological role, and historical significance. It continues to be a subject of botanical interest and an integral part of the natural and human landscapes across its native range.

Common Names

Eng: common cottonwood, eastern cottonwood, match poplar, necklace poplar, plains cottonwood, cottonwood, rio grande cottonwood
Lit: didžioji tuopa
Fra: peuplier de virginie, peuplier noir d’amérique, cotonier, peuplier deltoïde, liard, peuplier du canada, peuplier liard, peuplier à feuilles deltoïdes
Ita: pioppo
Deu: virginische pappel
Dan: virginsk poppel
Spa: chopo
Por: choupo, choupo-do-canadá, álamo, álamo-do-canadá
Afr: vuurhoutjiepopulier
Nld: amerikaanse populier
Nno: virginiapoppel
Swe: virginiapoppel, amerikansk svartpoppel
Nob: virginiapoppel
En: Eastern cottonwood, Match poplar, Cottonwood, Xamaehoohtsêstse, Common cottonwood, Necklace poplar, Plains cottonwood, Rio Grande Cottonwood
Af: Vuurhoutjie populier, Vuurhoutjiepopulier
Ar: حور دالي
Hy: Բարդի կանադական
Az: Kаnаdа qоvаğı
Be: Таполя трохвугольналістая
Bg: Делтоидна топола
Zh: 美洲黑杨
Da: Virginsk Poppel
Nl: Amerikaanse populier
Et: Kallaspappel
Fi: Amerikanmustapoppeli
Fr: Peuplier de Virginie, Peuplier noir d’Amérique, Cotonier, Peuplier deltoïde, Liard, Peuplier du Canada, Peuplier liard, Peuplier à feuilles deltoïdes
De: Kanadische Schwarz-Pappel, Virginische Pappel
He: צפצפה משולשת
It: Pioppo
Ko: 미루나무
Lt: Didžioji tuopa
Ne: लहरे पिपल
No: Virginiapoppel
Nb: Virginiapoppel
Nn: Virginiapoppel
Fa: صنوبر شرقی
Pt: Choupo, Choupo-do-canadá, Álamo, Álamo-do-canadá
Ru: Тополь дельтовидный
Es: Kanadski topol, Chopo
Sv: Virginiapoppel, Amerikansk svartpoppel
Tr: Amerika kara kavağı
Uk: Тополя дельтолиста

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by dixie cousins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Ramírez Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by verret gabriel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Ivan Yushin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 4, 2022 by Alessandro carboni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Christiane Termolle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2022 by albert hines (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Pauli Sam (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Juan Francisco Iaconis (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3040232)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30102841-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Populus deltoides Marshall)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.3

Ph minimum: 5.2

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’]

Soil nutriments: 6