Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Salicaceae

Genus:

Populus

Species:

Populus × smithii

USDA Symbol:

POSM2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Tree

Height:

2000 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, beaver

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from roots and root crown following fire; typically increases after disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, fertile, well-drained loam

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found in riparian zones and floodplains.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

1–14 days

Notes:

Seeds are short-lived and require immediate sowing on moist bare soil; viability drops within weeks.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI