White Poplar

Populus alba

Basic Information

Family: Salicaceae

Genus: populus

Plant ID (slug): populus-alba

Numeric ID: 20920

USDA Hardiness: 3-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Populus alba is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

C. Europe to Asia. Frequently planted in Britain but not naturalized[17].

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - rich in Vitamin C[179]. Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder and added to flour for making bread[2, 105]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[177].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Anodyne Antiinflammatory Antiseptic Astringent Diuretic Febrifuge Tonic Urinary Vitamin C The stem bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic and tonic[14, 46, 61, 178, 218]. The bark contains salicylates, from which the proprietary medicine aspirin is derived[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, lower back pains, urinary complaints, digestive and liver disorders, debility, anorexia, also to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[14, 46, 61, 178, 213, 238]. Externally, the bark is used to treat chilblains, haemorrhoids, infected wounds and sprains[238]. The bark is harvested from side branches or coppiced trees and dried for later use[238]. The leaves are used in the treatment of caries of teeth and bones[218]. The twigs are depurative[218].