98 



DOWNY POPLAR. 

 Populus heterophylla, Linnaeus. 



FORM — In the iiovth usually a small tree from 30-o0 ft. high; in the south may reach a height 

 of 100 ft. with a diameter of 3 ft. Crown high,- rather broad and round-topp<?J. Trtmk short, con- 

 tinuous, and taperiug. 



BARK — On old trunks thick, light reddish -brown, rough, broken by long fissures into long 

 narrow plates. Cn younger tiunks and large branches thinner, not so rough; fissures shallower 

 and ridges smoother than on old trucks. 



TWIGS — Stout, light yellowish, marked by a few scattered pale lenticels, roughened by 

 elevated leaf -scars; pith orange-colored. 



BUDS — Alternate, broadly ovate, slightly resinous, bright reddish-brown, covered with 4-7 

 scales which an slightly pubescent towards the base. Leaf-buds about 1 of an inch long. 

 Flowerbuds about i of an inch long. 



LEAVES — Alternate, simple, broadly ovate, cordate, rounded or truncate at base, rounded 

 or acute at apex, coarsely serrate on margin, 4-7 inches long, dark green above, pale green 

 below; leaf-stalks round. 



LEAF-SCARS— Alternate, large, elevated, often 3-lobed, indented on upper margin; with 

 3 conspicuous bundle-scars. 



FLOWERS — ^prear in March or April. In general similar to the Cottonwood only both 

 staminate and pistillate aments ;ire shorter. 



FRUIT — A drooping ament, when mature about 4-G inches long, bearing a few, scattered, 

 dark green, 3-4-valved capsules containing small seeds surrounded by a mat of white hairs. 



WOOD — Same as that of Uie Cottonwood only slightly heavier. See description page. 99. 



4 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The Downy Poplar, also known as Swamp Cotton- 

 wood. Blai^-k Cttlonwood, River Cottonwood, and Swamp Poplar, may be distinguished from 

 all the Aspens. Poplars, ani Cotton woods native to this State by its round leaf -stalks. The 

 leaf-stalks of al! the others are laterally flattened. The leaves are large and more bluntly 

 pointed than these of the other species. The leaf-margins are not so finely toothed as those 

 of the American Aspen but finer than the other two native species. The bark on old trunks is 

 light reddish browu. The twigs are stouter than those of the Aspens and contain orange 

 colored pith. The Aspens have white pith. The buds are bright reddish-brown, slightly resinous, 

 covered with scales which are often pubescent near the base. 



RANGE — Connecticut along coast to Georgia, west to Louisiana, and northward to Kentucky 

 and Missouri. Its range suggests a somewhat contorted horseshoe. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA — Found only in the extreme southeastern and southern 

 parts of the State. Reported from Chester, Delaware, and FranMin counties. Very rare and 

 local. 



HABITAT — Found only in low wet situations, and always mixed with other species In this 

 State. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — This species is too rare and local to be of any commercial 



importance. It is not attractive ornamentally on account of its heavy limbs and sparse, 



rounded cro^^Ti. The wood is not listed separately on the market but bought and sold 

 as Cottonwood. 



