Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Dilleniidae

Order Salicales

Family Salicaceae – Willow family

Genus Populus L. – cottonwood

Species Populus balsamifera L. – balsam poplar

Subspecies Populus balsamifera L. ssp. trichocarpa (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook.) Brayshaw – black

This splendid poplar is the largest in America.

With an astonishing growth rate (up to 5'/year) it reaches 180.'

It is found in Europe and along the entire Pacific coast to the Prairies, between USDA zones 5-10.

The bark is a dark gray and the 6" leaves are triangular, thick, and glossy.

Male and female catkins occur on separate trees and are followed by masses of cottony seeds.

Native groups used this tree extensively and the sticky, resinous buds, from which comes an intoxicating fragrance, are disinfectant and found in herbal products.

This tree attracts birds and butterflies and is helpful in wetland restoration as it takes up excess nitrogen and prevents erosion. Caution: the root system can interfere with septic beds.