Populus acuminata (pop’-u-lus a-ku-mi-na’-ta)
Family: Salicaceae, Willow
Key Steps
- 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 31d – Leaf is oval or oblong (twice as long as wide) — go to 40
- 40b – Leaf base symmetrical — go to 43
- 43b – Leaf margin not wavy or only slightly wavy; margin obviously toothed — go to 44
- 44a – Petiole long, 1-3 inches — Lanceleaf Cottonwood
- 43b – Leaf margin not wavy or only slightly wavy; margin obviously toothed — go to 44
- 40b – Leaf base symmetrical — go to 43
- 31d – Leaf is oval or oblong (twice as long as wide) — go to 40
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
Description
Leaf: 2-4 inches long. 1-2 inches wide. Oval or egg-shaped, pointed tip, round or wedge-shaped base. Base and tip smooth, rest toothed. Deep glossy green above, dull green below. Veins are light yellow. Two glands at top of round, long petiole.
Bud: Terminal bud 1/2 inch long, shiny, brown, may be gummy. Lateral buds smaller, flattened against stem.
Leaf Scar: Raised.
Stem: Pale yellow brown, smooth, slender, round.
Bark: Older stems are light gray-brown.
Pith: 5-sided.
Fruit: Catkins 4-5 inches long.
Habit: Dense, round crown. 40 feet tall. Colorado native.
Culture: High water requirement.
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