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Herbal Database Search ResultsBack to: Pathways Main Search Page For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven Populus 'Balsam Spire'
Physical CharacteristicsA decidious tree growing to 30m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 5. The flowers are 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 are pollinated by Wind. The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. Habitats and Possible LocationsWoodland, Canopy.Edible UsesNone knownMedicinal UsesDisclaimerAnodyne Antiinflammatory Antiscorbutic Antiseptic Balsamic Diuretic Expectorant Febrifuge Stimulant Tonic.
The leaf buds are covered with a resinous sap that has a strong
turpentine odour and a bitter taste[213]. They also contain salicin, The buds
are antiscorbutic, antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and
tonic[4, 21, 57, 165, 238]. They are taken internally in the treatment of
bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. They should not be
prescribed to patients who are sensitive to aspirin[238]. Externally, the
buds are used to treat colds, sinusitis, arthritis, rheumatism, muscular pain
and dry skin conditions[238]. They can be put in hot water and used as an
inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages[213]. The buds are harvested in
the spring before they open and are dried for later use[238].
Other UsesPot-pourri Rooting hormone Shelterbelt Wood.
An extract of the shoots can be used as a rooting hormone for all types
of cuttings. It is extracted by soaking the chopped up shoots in cold water
for a day[172].
Cultivation detailsAn easily grown plant, it grows well in a heavy cold damp soil[1]. It prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[11, 200]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[11]. Reasonably wind tolerant, though it does not do well in exposed upland sites or in maritime exposure[11, K]. It dislikes shady positions, and is intolerant of root or branch competition[200].A very fast growing hybrid, this plant is a female clone that is sometimes planted for forestry[11]. It comes into leaf early in the year[11]. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[11]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. PropagationSeed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[113]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[200]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[11]. This species is a hybrid and will not come true from seed.Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 20 - 40cm long, November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed or direct into their permanent positions. Very easy, the cuttings grow away strongly and can be 2 metres tall by the end of their first year[K]. Suckers in early spring[78]. SuppliersFor more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look. Web References
References for the family Salicaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources. Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images. References[K] Ken Fern
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951 [4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 [11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981 [21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2 [46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959 [57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. [78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948 [113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009 [165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. [172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 [213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6 [238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Readers CommentsMain Search Page Help Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest. |
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