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Populus angustifolia - narrowleaf cottonwood

Scientific Family
Salicaceae
Synonyms
Populus balsamifera var. angustifolia Populus canadensis var. angustifolia, Populus fortissima, Populus salicifolia, Populus tweedyi, Populus × sennii
Other common names
narrow-leaf cottonwood
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes

Plant Description

Origin
Native
Similar species
Populus fremontii, Populus ×hinckleyana

Deciduous tree, slender crown. Trunks can exceed 30 inches in diameter. Distinctive with narrow lanceolate leaves with even serrations. Life span of 100 to 200 years is not uncommon. Hybridizes with P. fremontii to form P. ×hinckleyana.

Large tree; slender crown, ascending branches. Bark furrows with age. Smooth leaves lance-like, tips pointed, twice as long as wide, leaf stems less than half as long as the blades. Long pendulous catkins; seeds tufted.

Height
To 60 feet
Width
20 to 30 feet

Habitat

Habitat description

Streamsides in mountains and foothills.

Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
7000

Leaves

Leaf color
Yellowish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous

Leaves shiny and leathery, darker above, paler below, taper to a long point, to 5 inches long and 1 inch wide with finely saw-toothed margins.

Flowers

Flower color
Yellowish-green
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June

Male and female flowers on separate trees. Narrow catkins to 3 inches long appear in early spring before the leaves.

Flower clusters
Elongated

Fruit

Fruit color
Light brown
Fruit type
Capsule

Small (1/4 inch), 2-valved, dry capsule on a hanging catkin, broadly ovoid to spherical, producing numerous small, cottony seeds.

Bark/Branches

Bark color
Light brown, whitish, grayish-brown
Bark texture
Rough

Bark is smooth when young, changing to light brown, whitish to grayish-brown and deeply furrowed on mature trees.