Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides · Salicaceae (Willow and Poplar family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Deltoid (triangular) with an acute, tapering apex and a truncate or slightly cordate base
Margin
Crenate-serrate with rounded to slightly pointed teeth along the edge
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig
Venation
Pinnate with a strong, prominent midrib and a distinctive palmate tendency at the broad base where basal veins branch outward
Key Features
Triangular (deltoid) leaf shape, flattened petiole, coarsely toothed margins, and a long tapering tip
Description
The Eastern Cottonwood is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its open, sprawling crown and deeply furrowed gray bark. It produces catkin flowers in early spring and releases copious amounts of cotton-tufted seeds in late spring. The leaves are distinctive broad triangles that flutter gracefully in the slightest breeze due to flattened petioles.
Habitat
Typically found in moist soils along streams, rivers, floodplains, and damp lowlands, thriving in full sun
Native Range
Native to eastern, central, and southwestern North America, extending from southern Canada down through the United States to northeastern Mexico