Populusis a temperate genus of about 35 species, which occur in the Salicaceae or willow family. The genus name, Populus is what the Romans called the trees and botanists used it when constructing the scientific name. Our most common species of Populus is P.deltoidesBartram ex Marshall. Its species namedescribes the deltoid shaped leaves that can be seen in the above photograph. As was mentioned previously, the botanist that named the species was Bartram and the ex indicates it was published in a scientific article by Marshall. Regardless, it is commonly called cottonwood in this part of Texas.
Cottonwood flowers are in drooping clusters called catkins and there are male trees that contain flowers with only male parts, or stamens as well as trees with only female catkins. Female catkins contain ovaries that produce fruits called capsules. Cottonwoods are wind pollinated and their capsules dry and split releasing hairy seeds that are also spread by the wind. These hairy seeds are the source of their common name. Today, cottonwoods are used for ornamentals as well as wood pulp and plywood. I remember my nanny Nelson (my grandmother) using a cottonwood switch on the grandkids and I have enjoyed fishing in the shade of cottonwoods with my mother, dad, and Papa Nelson.
Cottonwoods were also important to Native Americans. According to Kiowa origin legends, their people emerged from a hollow cottonwood log. They also constructed their medicine lodge, where their sacred sun dance was performed, from cottonwood logs. Tea made from the dry inner bark contains salacin, a precursor to aspirin, used by native peoples to relieve pain. Many tribes ate the catkins raw or addedthem to stews. The pollen from the male catkins or the young seeds in the capsules from the female catkins provided significant protein enrichment of their diet.
In the ecosystem, cottonwoods are considered pioneer plants because they, as well as other pioneer species, occupy deposits following floods that are bare of vegetation. Cottonwoods grow fast and die relatively quickly and are replaced by more long-lived species once the soil is stabilized. Its leaves, bark, and seeds are eaten by wildlife.
Sources:
Diggs, G. M., B. L. Lipscomb, & R. J. O’Kennon. 1999. Shinners & Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Fort Worth, Texas.
Turner, M. W. 2009. Remarkable Plants of Texas: Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives. University of Texas Press. Austin, Texas.
Wrede, J. 2010. Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country. Texas A&M University Press. College Station, Texas.
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