Eastern Cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Carolina Poplar, Necklace Poplar, Alamo

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Rapid growth, though short-lived as specimen trees. Tolerant of any (except for constantly waterlogged) soil, does best in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

Comments

The name refers to the abundant cottony seeds. Roots can be invasive. Adapts to a variety of soils. Tolerates saline, pollutants and a wide pH range. Larval Host: Morning Cloak and Viceroy, Great Purple Hairstreak.

Growth Form

Tree

Height

12 to

36 ft

Spread

35 to

60 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

High

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Visit us at https://npsot.org

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 53. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PODE3. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Populus+deltoides&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=22491&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=22445#null

Native Plant Society of Texas