Image to followAI-generated illustrationPopulus balsamifera
Populus balsamifera
FamilyGenus: Populus🌍 Neophyte
🌍
Alien species (Neophyte)
This plant is not native to Central Europe. It was introduced after 1492 and has become established in the wild. Documented interactions with native fauna are listed below — however, they do not replace the ecological value of native plants.
🌿
37
Species
interact
🔗
37
Interactions
documented
🐛
37
Host relationships
Species
About this species
A deciduous broadleaf tree introduced into Great Britain, where it is established, producing catkins in early spring.
Ecological network
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Larval host
Ecological significance
This species is introduced and established in Great Britain; no further ecological impact information is recorded.
Annual cycle
Catkins appear from March to April. The tree is deciduous, shedding its leaves in autumn.
Safety note
No specific safety information is recorded.
Standort & Merkmale
Light
—
Moisture
—
Soil
—
Flowering period
Mär – Apr
Growth form
Baum
Woodiness
Verholzt
Leaf type
Breitblättrig
Leaf phenology
Laubabwerfend
Plant height
18.337 m
Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)
Scientific profile
Populus balsamifera is a deciduous broadleaf tree reaching a typical height of approximately 18 metres. The leaves are broad, with a mean leaf area of around 2,774 mm². Its tiny seeds, each weighing about 1 mg, are wind-dispersed. The species is introduced and established in Great Britain. Its original range includes Northern America, Eastern Canada, the northeastern and southeastern United States, and Southern America.
Host relationships
37 species use this plant as a host
Tethea or (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1776Trichiura crataegiMalacosoma neustriaSmerinthus ocellataLaothoe populiLobophora halterataAgriopis aurantiariaCabera exanthemataCerura vinulaFurcula bifidaNotodonta ziczacPheosia tremulaClostera pigraClostera anachoretaLeucoma salicisScoliopteryx libatrixAsteroscopus sphinxAgrochola macilentaIpimorpha subtusaAnorthoa mundaLomaspilis marginataClostera curtulaPterostoma palpinaHydriomena furcataAgrochola circellarisEupsilia transversaColotois pennariaPoecilocampa populiXanthia togataAcronicta leporinaCatocala fraxiniPtilodon capucinaCatocala nuptaFurcula furculaCossus cossusOrthosia populetiBiston betularia
Sources & data origin
•Cook et al. (2025) UK Butterfly & Moth Traits (DOI: 10.5285/dbc7cc17-cbbd-49dd-bab4-8e8855768d66)
•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)
•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)
•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)
•Checklist Alien Plants Belgium — Verloove F (2023), Botanic Garden Meise (CC BY 4.0)
•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)
All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →