Alternative Name(s): Silver leaved poplar, Silver poplar Family: Salicaceae Form: Tree Origin: Native to Eurasia Weed Type(s): Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape

Notes: White poplar is a rounded broad-leaved deciduous tree growing up to 12 m tall. It is distinguished by the blue grey leaves with white undersides and white bark. Leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn and it is often grown for this feature. It has male and female flowers on separate trees a have been produced. After flowering in October the unfertilised female flowers become white wind borne 'fluff' which spreads widely causing respiratory irritation to some people.

White poplar may be mistaken for Silver birch.

White poplar spreads by suckers which may from dense thickets in gullies and along streams. Suckering is stimulated by soil disturbance damaging roots.

White poplar is an environmental weed in South Africa. In Western Australia it has formed dense stands in disturbed wetlands from Perth to Albany and it is considered a threat to riparian vegetation in Victoria. It has spread along the Murrumbidgee River and in wet areas in rural parts of the ACT. It is still sold in nurseries.

References:

Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weeds Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Berry, S and Mulvaney, M. (1995). An Environmental Weed Survey of the Australian Capital Territory. Report prepared for the Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra, Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra, Canberra.