sow bear looks out of her winter hibernation hole high up in a broken off cottonwood tree and watches a raven that is squawking nearby. “We’re fortunate to have a campus with so many native plants,” says ethnobotany PhD candidate Fiona Hamersley Chambers, pointing to Garry oak and historic camas meadows, Oregon grape, salal, grand fir, Douglas fir, black cottonwood and especially springbank clover—a food that was traditionally cultivated by First Peoples. Biomass production in a 4-year plantation. The wood is also used for fuel. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (Torr. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/blackcottonwood.html, https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_pobat.pdf, http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Populus%20trichocarpa. Color/Appearance: Often completely black, with little or no discernible grain. Pojar, J and MacKinnon, A. Distribution: Widely distributed tree in western North America, Alaska to California, as far east as North Dakota. The more tender inner bark was used for food in the spring and summer, and old dead leaves were boiled and used in baths to treat body aches and stomach problems. Plant Profiles - Ethnobotany Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 3:40pm These profiles were created by ES 421 students as a part of their final plant project. trichocarpa. Black Cottonwood contains a large amount of rooting hormone, just like willows, so it is be useful for plant propagation. Vegetative characters are variable even on the same plant. Black cottonwood catkins. Black cottonwoods. Males are green to red, females are green/pale yellow. balsamifera. WSDOT Ethnobotany and Cultural Resources M 3120.01 Page iii April 2016 Foreword Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between cultures and plants. 1400 Independence Ave., SW Black Cottonwood contains a large amount of rooting hormone, just like willows, so it is useful for plant propagation. Black Cottonwood Forest – Portland Walking among forests of giant cottonwoods or any gigantic trees is a humbling and profound experience. During the late spring, seeds are released in the wind with fine hairs. Black cottonwood is a large deciduous tree belonging to the willow family (Salicaceae). trichocarpa; photos by Heidi Bohan) The amazing smell of these barks, roots and buds as they are gathered and prepared are each so distinctive, each with their own medicine. Ethnobotany Black cottonwood resin has disinfectant properties and has been used by Coast Salish people for sore throats and coughs as well as being applied directly to wounds to prevent infection. Leaf shapes can vary between diamond or heart-shaped with a finely serrated margin. Also like willows, leaf buds contain salicin which is a powerful anti-inflamatory and pain-reducer. For questions regarding the UWB/CC Plant Tour, contact Sarah at severlin@uw.edu. The limbs bear alternate leaves which are simple, broadly ovate and 3”-5” long. Populus balsamifera ssp. ... Populis balsamifera, Black Cottonwood. Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry. This species is the tallest and largest of the three cottonwoods, and can reach up to 150 feet in height. Photo by Susan McDougal. The pale yellow sapwood is usually very thin, and is clearly demarcated from the darker heartwood. Cottonwood is a well-known, common tree along rivers and streams throughout the West.Cultivation of hybrid poplars (Populus trichocarpa x. P. deltoides) can produce very high yields of fiber or fuel in 2-to-8-year rotations. Brayshaw – black cottonwood Subordinate Taxa. They inhabit riparian areas, especially along streams. Native American Ethnobotany (University of Michigan - Dearborn) (POBA2) Balsam is a term for various plant saps with a pleasing odor. The base of the leaves can be either wedge or heart shaped. Photo by Charles Webber, California Academy of Science. The Spanish name for cottonwoods is “álamo,” leading the conclusion that the proper Spanish name for this tree is “álamo negro.” This name has lent itself to some famous places in America, such as the Alamo in San Antonio, site of a famous battle for Texan independence, as well as Los Alamos, New Mexico, site of American nuclear laboratories. southcentral alaska. It is known as a good light wood. 11. Last measured in April, 2008, this black cottonwood was found to be standing at 155 ft (47 m) tall, 29 ft (8.8 m) around, with 527 points. A cottonwood in Willamette Mission State Park near Salem, Oregon, holds the national and world records. 1985. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. I98 1. Black cottonwood also has been planted as windbreaks and shelterbelts and it is commonly used for screening along motorways in Europe. The light weight, fine, and evenly textured wood is one of the popular lumber types for the manufacturing of boxes and pallets. ... ETHNOBOTANY. Small native tree or large shrub growing to 25-35 ft. high and 12-20 ft. wide. US Forest Service, FM-RM-VE Can be used at a 10 – 25% dilution with other carrier oils such as jojoba or other herbal... Continue Reading Leaves: leathery/waxy dark green upper surface, with a lighter green underside. Black Cottonwood is the largest hardwood tree in western North America. Named after 19th century American explorer John C. Fremont, it is similar to the Eastern Cottonwood, differing mainly in the leaves having fewer, larger serrations on the leaf edge and small … During spring and summer, the light green leaves of the tall trees often indicate a source of water in the deserts the Great Basin or Modoc Plateau. Left to right: Mostly certain these are Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) leaves from along the middle Missouri River (South Dakota? Both Cottonwood Trees and Willow Trees produce their own rooting hormone, called auxin. The Fremont Cottonwood, also known as the Western Cottonwood or the Rio Grande Cottonwood, Populus fremontii, occurs in California east to Utah and Arizona and south into northwest Mexico. Balsamifera means balsam (aromatic resin)-bearing. […] USDA PLANTS Database. Brayshaw Black Cottonwood USDA POBAT Medicines and perfumes were made from balsam in Europe, and it plays a role in Christian rituals. Both Cottonwood Trees and Willow Trees produce their own rooting hormone, called auxin. The infused oil smells incredible and is highly beneficial in salves, gels, or massage oils for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Black Cottonwood (nekw’nikw’az) This is our largest native broadleaf tree, growing to heights of 24 to 38 meters. Ethnobotany Black cottonwood resin has disinfectant properties and has been used by Coast Salish people for sore throats and coughs as well as being applied directly to wounds to prevent infection. This plant has no children Legal Status. It is known as a good light The resin is used in medicine and perfume. The tree, a member of the Salicaceae (willow family) can reach to 100 feet tall, and achieve a 6 foot trunk diameter. Black cottonwood leaf buds and stems protected by resins which allow for early leaf growth; the resins are also medicine for people (Populus balsamifera ssp. The trees are fast-growing taking 30-75 years to reach maturity. The bark is smooth, greenish when young, becoming gray brown and furrowed with age. ), Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) from the Tetons in Wyoming, and Black Cottonwood or a Black / Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) hybrid from the Great Basin National Park, Nevada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 1 1: 1 18-1 23. , AND R. F. STETTLER. Ethnobotanical Application(s): Throughout history, black cottonwood has been valued as a commercially important tree. trichocarpa is a large cottonwood tree of the western United States. bears. Black Cottonwood USDA POBAT: Bella Coola Drug, Pulmonary Aid Infusion of buds and animal fat taken for whooping cough. Black cottonwoods are very fast growing and are easy to propagate with stem cuttings. - black cottonwood stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Although the flowers are inconspicuous,this species is well known for its fuzzy fruits, which during spring and early summer float down from the trees, creating the appearance of a light warm-season snowfall. Turner, Nancy J., 1973, The Ethnobotany of the Bella Coola Indians of British Columbia, Syesis 6:193-220, page 210 Populus balsamifera ssp. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska. Formerly: Populus balsamifera spp. trichocarpa temporarily flooded forest alliance, Populus balsamifera ssp. & Gray ex Hook.) Both Cottonwood Trees and Willow Trees produce their own rooting hormone, called auxin. Cottonwood Populus balsamifera This is one of my all time favorite resin buds to infuse. trichocarpa range map. Exact identification of these trees and shrubs is extremely difficult. The name of another New Mexican town, Alamogordo, means “the fat cottonwood tree.”. This condensed list of western Washington plants was created by Scott Clay-Poole, PhD. spring. Title: Black Cottonwood - Native Plant Trail Sign Collection and study from a 2016 road trip. Washington DC 20250-1103, Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices, Native Plant Material Accomplishment Reports, Fading Gold: The Decline of Aspen in the West, Wildflowers, Part of the Pagentry of Fall Colors, Tall Forb Community of the Intermountain West, Strategic Planning, Budget And Accountability, Recreation, Heritage And Volunteer Resources, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air And Rare Plants. Relationships: There are more than 300 species of willow worldwide, mostly in the northern hemisphere. The cottony seeds are often seen drifting in a summer breeze, giving the tree its common name of Cottonwood. Genetic variation and productivity of Populus trichocarpa and its hybrids. trichocarpa temporarily flooded woodland alliance Calveg: Black cottonwood Holland: North Coast black cottonwood riparian forest, Montane black cottonwood riparian forest Munz The tree develops a straight cylindrical trunk with a narrow crown. Ethnobotany Inner bark & cambium were eaten Buds used medicinally Habitat Value Nesting habitat for eagles & osprey, which are large birds of prey Sponsors City of Bellingham Washington State Department of Ecology Black Cottonwood. Black Cottonwood Tree Identification. Small native tree or large shrub growing to 45 ft. tall and 15-25 ft. wide. Tolerates moisture. Photo by Linda Swartz. Common names are from state and federal lists. Ref… It grows in my backyard along the Raging River and throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. The balsam used by churches is often derived from another subspecies, P. balsamifera ssp. Black cottonwood’s have a high nitrate uptake making them useful tools for buffering agricultural areas. black bears in anchorage, alaska. Willows The Willow Family– Salicaceae Salix sp. Black cottonwood series NVCS (2009) Populus balsamifera ssp. Black cottonwood is a Pacific Northwest native deciduous tree which can eventually grow to a height of 150’ with a width of 40’. Paddling into quiet Willamette River off-channel alcoves that are ringed with stately cottonwoods is like entering into an aquatic cathedral with … Black Cottonwood contains a large amount of rooting hormone, just like willows, so it is useful for plant propagation. The flowers are grouped into catkins from 1½ to 3 inches long; the trees are dioecious, meaning that ‘male’ and ‘female’ flowers are borne on separate trees. Also like willows, leaf buds contain salicin which is a powerful anti-inflamatory and pain-reducer. 2004. Conservation: Black cottonwood is a very fast-growing and potentially large tree, easy to establish, and useful for shade and ornament. long; look for the pair of glands where the petiole joins the blade. The black cottonwoods are still used commercially for particle board, plywood and veneer. Hitchcock and Cronquist describe 38 species in Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Black Cottonwood make millions of seeds, usually in the last week of May and the seeds are dispersed on the winds- casting themselves as far from the mother tree as possible. Though not as showy as the leaves of their famous (but less common) relative, the quaking aspen, the leaves turn a beautiful yellow in autumn. Populus is the Latin name for poplar; balsamifera (“balsam-bearing”) refers to the resinous substance in the buds of the tree, thought to resemble balsam. Trichocarpa means with hairy fruits, referring to its fluffy seeds. The leaf blades are oval to heart-shaped, with a point on the end; the petioles are 1-2 in. Trichocarpa means “hairy-fruited,” referring to the cottony fluff that helps disperse the minute seeds for long distances. Native Americans and herbal products companies use the resin for medicinal purposes as well, particularly for respiratory ailments. Notable feature: The winter buds are yellow-brown and very pointed. HEILMAN,P., AND D. V. PEABODY. Flowers/Fruits: drooping catkins. Black Cottonwood. Vancouver (BC): Lone Pine Publishing. This native tree grows rapidly. Black cottonwood resin has disinfectant properties and has been used by Coast Salish people for sore throats and coughs as well as being applied directly to wounds to prevent infection. Related Species: White Poplar (Populus alba) Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) Black Poplar (Populus nigra) European Aspen (Populus tremula) Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Related Articles: Effect of harvest cycle and spacing on productivity of black cottonwood in intensive culture. Occasionally slightly lighter, with a dark brown or purplish hue. Last Saturday JT, Ethnobotany Guide Extraordinaire, lead us, ethnobots, on a foraging walkabout around the Seattle Jackson Place, Judkins Park and International District. It is one of the largest of some 40 species of Populus and is the tallest, fastest-growing hardwood in the western United States. The bark is grey and covered with lenticels, becoming thick and deeply fissured on old trees. Prunus virginiana Chokecherry. Black cottonwood. Here in the Pacific Northwest, Native Americans utilized an incredible diversity of trees for edible cambium including Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum), Red Alder, Lodgepole Pine, Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Black Cottonwood.The air alighting with Cottonwood down is a pretty dramatic phenological … Click on a place name to … Mailstop Code: 1103 The aggressive root systems of black cottonwood are effective soil They are covered in a resinous substance that is perfumed and smells like balsam. Economic uses of the black cottonwood include course lumber and the manufacture of wood products such as paper. The name of another New Mexican town, Alamogordo, means “the fat cottonwood tree.” Economic uses of the black cottonwood include course lumber and the manufacture of wood products such as paper. The following points should help you to identify a black cottonwood. Bark: Mature bark is brown and rugged and looks similar to Douglas-fir’s bark. Names: Black Cottonwood is also known as Balsam Poplar. This article was written by Jessica Rouske and Sarah Verlinde. Habitat: In Washington state, this tree can be found along wetlands, streambanks, lake shores, and moist woods. Also like willows, leaf buds contain salicin which is a powerful anti-inflamatory and pain-reducer. Populus L. – cottonwood Species: Populus balsamifera L. – balsam poplar Subordinate Taxa ... black cottonwood Legal Status. The root systems help stabilize the soil, which is especially important for the restoration and conservation of riparian (river) areas they are commonly found growing in. The fluffy seeds can travel 20 miles on a breeze, they can be carried on streams and rivers and rest in a vernal pool. The bark is rough and dark-colored, thus “black cottonwood”. 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