| Populus euphratica | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Salicaceae |
| Genus: | Populus |
| Species: | P. euphratica |
| Binomial name | |
| Populus euphratica | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Populus euphratica, commonly known as theEuphrates poplar,[3]desert poplar,[citation needed]diversiform-leaved poplar, orpoplar diversifolia,[4] is a species ofpoplar tree in thewillowfamily.
The Euphrates poplar is a medium-sizeddeciduous tree that may grow to a height of about 15 m (49 ft)and agirth of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) where conditions are favorable. The stem is typically bent and forked; old stems have thick, rough,olive-greenbark. While thesapwood is white, the heartwood is red, darkening to almost black at the center. The roots spread widely but not deeply. Theleaves are highly variable in shape.
The flowers are borne ascatkins; those of the male are 25–50 mm (0.98–1.97 in) long, and those of the female 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in). The fruits are ovoid-lanceolate capsules, 7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in) long, containing tiny seeds enveloped in silky hairs.[5]
The species has a very wide range, occurring naturally fromNorth Africa, across theMiddle East andCentral Asia to westernChina. It may be found in drytemperate broadleaf and mixed forests andsubtropical dry broadleaf forests at altitudes of up to 4,000 m (2.5 miles) above sea level.
It is a prominent component ofTugayfloodplain ecosystems along river valleys inarid andsemi-arid regions, mixed withwillow,tamarisk andmulberry in dense thickets. It grows well on land that is seasonally flooded and is tolerant of saline andbrackish water. Much used as a source offirewood, its forests have largely disappeared or become fragmented over much of its natural range.[5][6]
The species is used inagroforestry to provide leaves asfodder forlivestock,timber and, potentially,fiber formaking paper. It is also used inafforestation programs onsaline soils in desert regions, and to createwindbreaks and checkerosion. The bark is reported to haveAnthelmintic properties.[5]
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Data related toPopulus euphratica at Wikispecies