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Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Eastern Cottonwood

Populus deltoides
Family: Salicaceae

Natural History

cottonwood-full
Leaves of eastern cottonwood | Photo credit: Larry Korhnak, University of Florida

The eastern cottonwood is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae).

Fast-growing yet relatively short-lived, cottonwoods are easily distinguished by their triangular (or deltoid) shaped leaves, that easily flutter in the wind.