Swamp Cottonwood Populus heterophylla
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aigiros heterophylos
- Phonetic Spelling
- POP-yoo-lus het-er-oh-FIL-uh
- Description
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Swamp Cottonwood is a large deciduous tree in the willow family. It is found in riparian and low-lying wet areas in the Southeast. While it usually has a poor form, it can grow up to 70-90' tall with a trunk 2-3' in diameter in proper conditions.
The tiny seeds can only germinate in the presence of moisture and sandy soil. The downy coating lets them be carried long distances on the wind.
The soft, light wood is used for crates, baskets, and high-quality paper pulp. It has a tendency to warp as it dries if not given proper caution.
This plant is found at wet bottomlands.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Populus
- Species:
- heterophylla
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Lumber and wood pulp for paper
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada and SE U.S.A., NC
- Distribution:
- Occasional throughout E. North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Seedlings and young trees browsed by rabbits, deer, and domestic stock
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid, green capsules that grow in clusters and turn brown when ripe. The seeds inside are small and downy. Seeds are hanging in catkins.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Species is dioecious; males occur in 1 inch long catkins, females occur in a sparse white flowered catkin.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Obtuse
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Broadly ovate, serrated margin, heart-shaped base, 4 to 7 inches long, petiole round, green above and paler below.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Strongly vertically ridged.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Heart or shield shaped
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Short-lived
