Populus Sect. Tacamahaca

Populus Sect. Tacamahaca

Populus angustifolia
Populus balsamifera
Populus cathayana
Populus koreana
Populus laurifolia
Populus maximowiczii
Populus simonii
Populus szechuanica
Populus trichocarpa
Populus ussuriensis
Populus yunnanensis
and see text

The balsam poplars — also known as Populus sect. Tacamahaca — are a group of about 10 species of poplars, indigenous to North America and eastern Asia, distinguished by the balsam scent of their buds, the whitish undersides of their leaves, and the leaf petiole being round (not flattened) in cross-section. They are large deciduous trees, 30–60 m tall, with leaves with a rounded base, pointed apex, and a whitish waxy coating on the underside of the leaf; this latter distinguishes them from most other poplars. The name is derived from the pleasant balsam smell of the opening buds and leaves in spring, produced by a sticky gum on the buds which also helps protect the buds from insect damage. The balsam poplars are light-demanding trees that require considerable moisture but are tolerant of very cold conditions, occurring further north than other poplars except for the aspens.