Skip to main content

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.

Section Topics