Fremont Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
Fremont Cottonwood is a large tree, with a single straight trunk 12-35 meters in height. The gray-brown bark is smooth when young, becoming deeply fissured and paling with age. The long trunk opens into a broad, open crown of large, spreading branches. The heart-shaped, or cordate, leaves are 2-7 cm long with an elongated top. The smooth, dark green leaves are lined with white veins and have wavy serration around the edge. The flowers bloom on a hanging catkin — the female catkins are loosely gathered, while the males are dense and pink. The catkins are 3-8 cm long. The dry fruit of this plant has a single tiny seed, approximately 1 mm in length. The achene, or seed, develops in capsules along the catkins, which open to release the seeds in white, cottony fluffs.
Basic Information
Member of the Salicaceae, or willow, family
Winter deciduous
Fast growing — this tree has been know to grow 30 feet in one year
There are two recognized subspecies:
P. f. subsp. Fremontii, also known as P. f. var. arizonica — native to California and west of the Continental Divide
P. f. subsp. mesetae — native to areas of Mexico and west Texas
Habitat
Native to the Southwestern United States and northern central Mexico
In the United States, this tree can be found in California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado
Almost always found in riparian or other wetland habitats, such as alluvial plains, stream sides, and seeps, adjacent to chaparral, grassland, and woodland communities
Ecological Role
Important plant for butterflies and birds
Beavers feed on the bark and build dams with the branches
Reproduction
Blooms from March-April
Dioecious — male and female reproductive organs occur on different plants
Seeds disperse in wind for 1-2 weeks
Alternative Names
Fremont Cottonwood, Western Cottonwood, Gila Cottonwood, Alamo
Historical Uses
The inner bark was widely used as an antiscorbic, to cure scurvy, as it contains vitamin C
The bark and leaves were often used by Native Americans as a poultice to reduce inflammation and treat wounds
The Hopi Indians of the Southwest carve cottonwood roots into kachina dolls, representations of supernatural beings
The Pima people used the twigs to make intricate baskets
