Populus angustifolia

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Populus angustifolia

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Populus
Section: Populus sect. Tacamahaca
Species:
P. angustifolia
Binomial name
Populus angustifolia
Generalized natural range of Populus angustifolia

Populus angustifolia, commonly known as the narrowleaf cottonwood,[3] is a species of tree in the willow family (Salicaceae). It is native to western North America, where it is a characteristic species of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding plains.[4] It ranges north to the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada and south to the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Sonora in Mexico.[4] Its natural habitat is by streams and creeks between 3,900 to 7,900 feet (1,200 to 2,400 m) elevation.[2][4]

Description

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The tree is slim in profile, and can grow in tightly packed clusters.[5] Its leaves are yellow-green, lanceolate (lance-shaped), and with scalloped margins. It produces catkins in the early spring. The fruiting capsules are fluffy and white.

  • Old catkins and emerging spring leaves
    Old catkins and emerging spring leaves

Taxonomy

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Where their ranges come into contact, this species will readily hybridize with Populus balsamifera, Populus deltoides, Populus fremontii, and Populus trichocarpa. These hybrids can form extensive populations in some regions. Due to the frequency and morphological consistency of P. angustifolia × P. deltoides hybrids, they were initially described as a fully separate species ("P. acuminata") until its hybrid origin was firmly established in the 1980s.[4]

Range

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Narrowleaf cottonwoods grow in western North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico. In Canada the species grows in just Alberta and Saskatchewan. Southwards in the United States it is wide ranging from the Pacific Northwest to the Southwestern US. It grows as far east as South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. In Mexico it is only found in three states, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Sonora.[6]

Uses

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The buds are sticky and gummy and were enjoyed as a sort of chewing gum by local Native American peoples, including the Apache and Navajo. The tree is the host species of the sugarbeet root aphid (Pemphigus betae).

References

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  1. ^ NatureServe (1 August 2025). "Populus angustifolia". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "P. angustifolia James". Jepson Manual Treatment.
  3. ^ NRCS. "Populus angustifolia". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Populus angustifolia Flora of North America
  5. ^ Populus angustifolia Southwest Colorado Wildflowers
  6. ^ Hassler, Michael (18 August 2025). "Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of the World Flora. Version 25.08". World Plants. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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  •  Media related to Populus angustifolia at Wikimedia Commons
  • US Forest Service Fire Ecology
  • Photo gallery at CalPhotos
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