Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Populus fremontii S.Watson subsp. fremontii
(Fremont's Cottonwood)

Family: Salicaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Populus fremontii S. Watson var. thornberi Sargent

Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii is seen most commonly alongside larger rivers and creeks and in canyons in the Gila National Forest. The limbs tend to be weak and break off easily, such that there broken limbs scattered around the bases of larger trees. The trees with "their feet in water" can grow to enormous size. Sometimes a fallen horizontral trunk will sprout new branches. The bark is gray and deeply furrowed. The leaves are coarsely serrate and broad. The trees are dioecious-- male and female catkins form on different plants. The female (pistillate) flowers are green and turn into the characteristic cottony seeds. The male (staminate) flowers have a more yellow appearance.
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Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CF Canyon, May 2, 2007



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, with storm brewing, photo Karen Blisard & Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Wild Horse Canyon, Oct. 17, 2004



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, pistillate catkins, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, March 11, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, closeup of pistillate catkin, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, closeup of pistillate flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, closeup of staminate catkin, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, March 15, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, detail of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Knight Canyon, Oct. 28, 2008



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, bark, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, December 12, 2008



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, capsule opened revealing seeds with long silky hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, April 23, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009



Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii, macro of bud, leaf scar and bundle scars on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 29, 2009


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