cottonwood

/kot"n wood'/, n.

any of several American poplars, as Populus deltoides, having toothed, triangular leaves and cottonlike tufts on the seeds.

[1795-1805, Amer.; COTTON + WOOD¹]

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Any of several fast-growing North American trees of the genus Populus.

Members of the willow family, cottonwoods have heart-shaped, toothed leaves and cottony seeds. The dangling leaves clatter in the wind. The eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides) has thick glossy leaves. Carolina poplar (P. angulata) and P. eugenei may be natural hybrids between P. deltoides and the Eurasian black poplar (P. nigra). The Alamo, or Fremont cottonwood (P. fremontii), is the tallest of the group. See also poplar.

Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

Kitty Kohout from Root Resources

EB Inc.

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▪ tree

 several fast-growing trees of North America, members of the genus Populus, in the family Salicaceae, with triangular, toothed leaves and cottony seeds. The dangling leaves clatter in the wind. Eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides), nearly 30 metres (100 feet) tall, has thick glossy leaves. A hybrid between this and Eurasian black poplar (P. nigra) is P. canadensis. Alamo, or Fremont cottonwood (P. fremontii), tallest of the group, is found in southwestern North America. Great Plains cottonwood (P. sargentii), of North America, has thick coarse-toothed leaves. Many species and hybrids have wood with a variety of uses, including for matches and matchboxes. Lombardy poplar (P. nigra) is a columnar form that is much planted. See also aspen.

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