Populus pseudosimonii

Kitag.

Salicaceae Edible: Leaves 3 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Populus pseudosimonii is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m tall, flowering April to May with seeds ripening May to June. Dioecious and wind-pollinated, it requires both male and female plants for seed production and is not self-fertile. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with preference for good drainage; grows in mildly acidic to basic soils. Requires full sun, prefers moist soil, and tolerates strong winds but not coastal exposure.

Description

A tree that loses its leaves. It grows 20 m tall. Plants are separately male and female.

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Edible Uses

Leaves can be cooked for consumption. Used as a famine food only when other food sources are exhausted.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten.

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Medicinal Uses

Most poplar species contain salicin, a glycoside converting to salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge, particularly effective for treating rheumatism, fevers, and menstrual cramps.

Distribution

It grows in the eastern forests in Manchuria.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Manchuria,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Does well in a heavy cold damp soil. Prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils. It does not do well in exposed upland sites. It dislikes shade and is intolerant of root or branch competition. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Propagation

Seed must be sown immediately in spring due to extremely short viability, requiring sowing within days of ripening. Surface sow or lightly cover in cold frame trays. Transplant seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow in cold frame; plant out in late summer if adequately developed, otherwise delay until late spring. Seed may not come true unless collected from wild populations without other poplar species nearby. Hardwood cuttings 20-40 cm long taken November/December in sheltered beds or direct positions; very easy. Suckers in early spring.

Other Uses

Shoot extract functions as rooting hormone for all cutting types by soaking chopped shoots in cold water for one day. Wood is soft, woolly-textured, odorless, low flammability, not durable, and highly abrasion-resistant.