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Populus heterophylla

Populus heterophylla L.

Swamp Cottonwood, Swamp Poplar, Black Cottonwood, Downy Poplar

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

Synonym(s): Populus argentea

USDA Symbol: POHE4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Most recently discovered Canadian tree (April 2003). Found in Bickford Woods south of Sarnia, Ont.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 100 feet tall, usually shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA
Canada: ON
Native Habitat: Forest,Swamp/Marsh

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Clay, Loam

Benefit

Attracts: Birds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL				OBL			OBL	OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 80 - Illinois Wildflowers (2002) John Hilty
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-06-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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