Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides · Salicaceae (Willow family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Deltoid to broadly ovate with an acuminate apex and truncate base, unlobed
Margin
Crenate-serrate with rounded teeth
Arrangement
Alternate with a flattened petiole
Venation
Pinnate with prominent whitish veins and reticulate veinlets
Key Features
Deltoid leaf shape, flattened petiole, and coarse crenate-serrate margins
Description
Large deciduous tree with deeply furrowed gray bark, producing catkins in spring and vibrant yellow autumn foliage
Habitat
Riparian zones, floodplains, and moist soils along streams in full sun
Native Range
Eastern and central North America
Notes
Found in Sumter, South Carolina
Identified on 10/18/2026