Populus balsamifera, the Ontario Balsam Poplar, is a species of the genus Populus. Populus is from the Latin for poplar and balsamifera from Latin meaning "balsam-bearing".^[1]

Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is the northernmost American hardwood. It grows transcontinentally on upland and flood plain sites but attains the best development on flood plains. It is a hardy, fast-growing tree which is generally short lived, with some trees reaching 200 years. Other names are balm-of-gilead, bam, tacamahac, cottonwood, or heartleaf balsam poplar. Many kinds of animals use the twigs for food. The light, soft wood is used for pulp and construction.^[2]

The leaves of the Balsam Poplar serve as food for caterpillars of various Lepidoptera. See List of Lepidoptera that feed on poplars.

See also

• Balsam poplar

References

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