Populus balsamifera, commonly called balsam poplar,[3]bam,[4]bamtree,[2]eastern balsam-poplar,[5]hackmatack,[2]tacamahac poplar,[2]tacamahaca,[2] is a tree species in the balsam poplar species group in the poplar genus, Populus. The genus name Populus is from the Latin for poplar, and the specific epithet balsamifera from Latin for "balsam-bearing".[6]
Populus balsamifera is the northernmost North American hardwood, growing transcontinentally on boreal and montane upland and flood plain sites, and attaining its best development on flood plains. It is a hardy, fast-growing tree which is generally short lived, but some trees as old as 200 years have been found.[7]
The tree is known for its strong, sweet fragrance, which emanates from its sticky, resinous buds. The smell has been compared to that of the balsam fir tree.
Taxonomy
The black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, is sometimes considered a subspecies of P. balsamifera[8] and may lend its common name to this species, although the black poplars and cottonwoods of Populus sect. Aigeiros are not closely related.
The balm-of-Gilead (Populus × jackii), also known as P. × gileadensis, is the hybrid between P. balsamifera and the eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), occurring occasionally where the two parental species' ranges overlap. This hybrid is also sometimes planted as a shade tree, and sometimes escapes from cultivation.[9] The name Populuscandicans has been variously used for either P. balsamifera or P. × jackii; it is currently considered a synonym of P. balsamifera.
Uses
The light, soft wood of Populus balsamifera is used for pulp and construction.[7] The resinous sap (or the tree's balsam) comes from its buds, and is sometimes used as a hive disinfectant by bees.[10]
Branches containing the resinous buds are sometimes blown to the ground by spring windstorms, and herbalists from many cultures seek these out to make medicine from them. These sticky spring buds are a highly prized ingredient in medicinal salves and other herbal preparations in both Indigenous North American and European herbal traditions.
^Stritch, L. (2018). "Populus balsamifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T61959749A61959757. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T61959749A61959757.en. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Populus balsamifera". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
^Peattie, Donald Culross. 1991. A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 100.
populus, balsamifera, commonly, called, balsam, poplar, bamtree, eastern, balsam, poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac, poplar, tacamahaca, tree, species, balsam, poplar, species, group, poplar, genus, populus, genus, name, populus, from, latin, poplar, specific, epi. Populus balsamifera commonly called balsam poplar 3 bam 4 bamtree 2 eastern balsam poplar 5 hackmatack 2 tacamahac poplar 2 tacamahaca 2 is a tree species in the balsam poplar species group in the poplar genus Populus The genus name Populus is from the Latin for poplar and the specific epithet balsamifera from Latin for balsam bearing 6 Populus balsamiferaA stem with young leavesConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsClade RosidsOrder MalpighialesFamily SalicaceaeGenus PopulusSection Populus sect TacamahacaSpecies P balsamiferaBinomial namePopulus balsamiferaL Natural rangeSynonyms 2 Populus tacamahacca Mill Populus candicans AitonPopulus balsamifera is the northernmost North American hardwood growing transcontinentally on boreal and montane upland and flood plain sites and attaining its best development on flood plains It is a hardy fast growing tree which is generally short lived but some trees as old as 200 years have been found 7 The tree is known for its strong sweet fragrance which emanates from its sticky resinous buds The smell has been compared to that of the balsam fir tree Taxonomy EditThe black cottonwood Populus trichocarpa is sometimes considered a subspecies of P balsamifera 8 and may lend its common name to this species although the black poplars and cottonwoods of Populus sect Aigeiros are not closely related The balm of Gilead Populus jackii also known as P gileadensis is the hybrid between P balsamifera and the eastern cottonwood P deltoides occurring occasionally where the two parental species ranges overlap This hybrid is also sometimes planted as a shade tree and sometimes escapes from cultivation 9 The name Populus candicans has been variously used for either P balsamifera or P jackii it is currently considered a synonym of P balsamifera Uses EditThe light soft wood of Populus balsamifera is used for pulp and construction 7 The resinous sap or the tree s balsam comes from its buds and is sometimes used as a hive disinfectant by bees 10 Branches containing the resinous buds are sometimes blown to the ground by spring windstorms and herbalists from many cultures seek these out to make medicine from them These sticky spring buds are a highly prized ingredient in medicinal salves and other herbal preparations in both Indigenous North American and European herbal traditions Many kinds of animals use the twigs of Populus balsamifera for food The leaves of the tree serve as food for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera See List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars References Edit Stritch L 2018 Populus balsamifera IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 e T61959749A61959757 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2018 1 RLTS T61959749A61959757 en Retrieved 7 October 2022 a b c d e Populus balsamifera Germplasm Resources Information Network Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture USDA NRCS n d Populus balsamifera The PLANTS Database plants usda gov Greensboro North Carolina National Plant Data Team Retrieved 31 January 2016 Peattie Donald Culross 1991 A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America Boston Houghton Mifflin Company p 100 BSBI List 2007 xls Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland Archived from the original xls on 2015 06 26 Retrieved 2014 10 17 Earl J S Rook 2006 03 04 Balsam Poplar Populus balsamifera Natural History of the Northwoods Rook org Archived from the original on 2012 08 22 Retrieved 2012 08 30 a b Zasada John C Phipps Howard M 1990 Populus balsamifera In Burns Russell M Honkala Barbara H eds Hardwoods Silvics of North America Washington D C United States Forest Service USFS United States Department of Agriculture USDA Vol 2 Retrieved 30 August 2012 via Southern Research Station USDA NRCS n d Populus balsamifera The PLANTS Database plants usda gov Greensboro North Carolina National Plant Data Team Werthner William B 1935 Some American Trees An Intimate Study of Native Ohio Trees New York The Macmillan Company Native Tree Of The Week Balsam Popular DeVos Tree Care Jan 14 2019 Balsam poplar in Reykjavik Iceland Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Populus balsamifera amp oldid 1146581102, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
