Black cottonwood
Populus trichocarpa

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A tree that loses its leaves. The bark is rough. It grows 50 m high. The young buds and leaves have a sweet smell. The leaves are heart shaped or triangle shaped and on long stalks. They are rounded at the base and pointed at the tip. There are fine teeth along the edge. Male and female flowers are on separate tress. The flowers on in long catkins that hand down.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on alluvial flood plains. It can tolerate occasional flooding.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Faroe Islands, North America

How it is used for food

The layer between the bark and wood is scraped off and eaten fresh or sun-dried. It cannot be stored as it turns sour. It is the sweet sap that is collected.

Edible parts

Cambium, sap

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Populus balsamifera var. californica S. Watson; Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa (Torr. & A. Gray) Brayshaw; Populus hastata Dode; Populus trichocarpa var. cupulata S. Watson; Populus trichocarpa var. hastata (Dode) A. Henry;