Populus – Latin name for poplars as a group

Leaves:

• alternate
• simple
• long petioles
  • some species have petioles that are flattened on the sides
• often cordate or triangular-shaped
• broad (rarely linear)
• often whitish on lower surface

Flowers:

• dioecious
• hanging catkins
• male flowers:
  • thin, toothed, or fringed scale
  • many stamens with red tips
• female flowers:
  • in small cups
  • 1 style
  • 2-4 stigmas
• wind pollinated

Fruit:

• capsules
• flash-shaped
• small
• cotton-like hairs on seeds (aid in wind dispersal)

Other notes:

• trees to 160 ft. and shrubs
• deciduous
• very fast growing
• frequently forms suckers
• flowers before leaves
• often small branches off of trunk

Species:

• Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)
• Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood)