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Native Plant Database

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Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides (Eastern cottonwood)
San Antonio River Authority

Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.

Eastern cottonwood

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

USDA Symbol: PODED

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Growth of this tree is so rapid that maximum height can be attained in 15 years.
First Nations People used the roots to make friction when preparing fires.

Eastern cottonwood is not suitable for city landscaping. Moisture-seeking roots often raise sidewalks and clog drainage pipes, and brittle branches litter the ground. (Kershaw)

Poor though its wood might be, it gave the prairie pioneers their fences and corncribs, their cabins and stables, even their coffins. For decades it was made into every kind of cart and box from packing for the heaviest pianos to the lining of cigar boxes. (Peattie)

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
Canada: AB , ON , QC , SK
Native Habitat: Riparian,Lakeshores
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Sand

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio glaucus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mourning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 1005 Collected Nov 4, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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