Liriodendron tulipifera

tulippoplarfull
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

View the Location on Campus

Taxonomy (1)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot (not eudicot)
Family: Magnoliaceae
Common name: Tulip Poplar

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Eastern United States
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Growth Habit: Tree

  • Size: 70-90 feet tall
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Deciduous
  • Flowering: May to early June

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Lobed
  • Other: 3-8 inches

tulippoplarleaf
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Stem/Bark (1)

  • Color: Brownish to grayish
  • Texture: Ridged and furrowed

tulippoplarbark
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Flower (1)

  • Perfect/Imperfect: Perfect
  • Color: Greenish yellow to orange

tulippoplarflower
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Fruit (1)

  • Fruit type: Aggregate of samaras
  • Size: 2-3 inches
  • Color: Green to brown

tulippoplarfruit
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Horticultural Information (1)

  • Light: Full sun
  • pH: Slightly acidic
  • Maintenance: Can be hard to care for
  • Landscape Uses: Street tree or shade tree

Interesting Facts (1)

  • Wood is used to make furniture and other products
  • One of our tallest native eastern American deciduous species.
  • The flowers depend on honeybees for cross-pollination and the honey is supposedly of excellent quality. 

References

1) Dirr, M. A. (1977). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characters, culture, propagation and uses (2d. ed.). Champaign, Ill.: Stipes Publishing Co..

Prepared by Cole Wildes as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek