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Herbal Database Search ResultsBack to: Pathways Main Search Page For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven Populus alba
Physical CharacteristicsA decidious tree growing to 20m by 12m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March. The scented 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. It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 2/5 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 dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. Habitats and Possible LocationsWoodland, Canopy.Edible UsesInner bark Leaves.
Leaves - rich in Vitamin C[179].
Medicinal UsesDisclaimerAlterative Anodyne Antiinflammatory Antiseptic Astringent Diuretic Febrifuge Tonic.
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].
Other UsesDye 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 does well in a heavy cold damp soil[1]. 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]. This species thrives on drier soils than other members of the genus[188]. It does not do well in exposed upland sites[11] but it is tolerant of maritime exposure, though it can be wind pruned in such a situation[11, 200]. Dislikes shade, it is intolerant of root or branch competition[200]. Tolerates both hot and cool summers[200].A very ornamental tree, it is fast-growing but fairly short-lived[1, 11, 227]. There are several named varieties[188]. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[30]. The leaf buds are resinous and exude an aromatic perfume in the spring[245]. 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. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. 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. This species does not often produce viable seed in Britain[11]. 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].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. Suckers in early spring[78]. Scent
Cultivars
SuppliersFor more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look. PFAF Web PagesThis plant is mentioned in the following web pages
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[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951 [2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 [11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981 [13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3 [14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7 [17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962 [30] Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982 ISBN 0-330-26642-x [46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959 [61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202 [78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948 [100] Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969 ISBN 0192176218 [105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976 [113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009 [115] Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. [172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. [177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169 [178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre [179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977 [188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7 [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 [218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4 [227] Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982 ISBN 0292780206 [238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 [245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 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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