Populus heterophylla

Description

Swamp poplar can reach a height 50 to at maturity. The trunk and branches are a light to medium grey, with the trunk being coarsely furrowed. The leaves are alternate deciduous that are 4 to long and 3 to across. Mature leaves are medium to dark green on their upper surface and pale green on the lower surface. Petioles are 2 to long and tend to be between pale green and pale yellow. This species is pollinated by wind. This species flowers in April and fruits May-June.

Habitat

Location

This species is indigenous to warm, temperate regions in North America, although nowhere is it considered abundant. It is found in wet bottomland forests. Swamp cottonwood can be found along the east coast of the United States from Connecticut to Georgia, as well as northwestern Florida and west to Louisiana. It also grows in the Mississippi valley, Ohio and southern Michigan.

Soils and topography

Populus heterophylla is typically found on heavy clays, but can be found on the edges of swamps (not within). Ideal growth will happen in areas where the water table is near the surface for all but two to three months a year.

Climate

Humid climate is common throughout the range of the swamp poplar. Rainfall varies for this species based on how far north it is found. When found in Indiana, the average annual rainfall is about 35 in (890 cm); as opposed to when found in Louisiana average annual rainfall is 59 in (1500 mm). Yearly average temperatures range in the North and South from 50°F to 70°F respectively.

Special uses

There are no special uses or commercial value for this species due to the similarity to Populus deltoides, which grows faster and easier.

References

References

1. Smith, K.. (2016). "''Populus heterophylla''".
2. "Populus heterophylla in Flora of North America @ efloras.org".
3. "Swamp Cottonwood (Populus heterophylla)".
4. "Populus heterophyfla L". ''srs.fs.usda.gov''. Retrieved 2020-04-23.[https://srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/populus/heterophylla.htm]
5. Smith (IUCN), Kevin. (2015-04-01). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Populus heterophylla".