Populus tomentosa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64404d9b9d2c1616685004 |
| Scientific name | Populus tomentosa |
| Authority | Carrière |
| First published in | Rev. Hort. (Paris) 39: 340 (1867) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among the Dzungarian region of Xinjiang, “yangbaijiao” or Populus tomentosa bud scales are simmered in water to make a throat-soothing tea that is drunk when coughs are hard and the chest feels tight (An et al., 2020). In the Tarbagatai mountains of Kazakhstan, fresh buds or sometimes leaves are steeped as a mild bitter tea for cough and as a carminative after meals (Bobakulov et al., 2017). In parts of Inner Mongolia and Gansu, winter/spring buds are decocted with licorice as a warming tonic for rheumatic aches, while crushed leaf poultices are applied to joints and minor skin sores (Burenjirig et al., 2012). Bud scales are also macerated in light alcohol to make a liniment for rubs on swollen or achy joints (Zham, 2010).
Practical recipe (mild bud‑scale tea). Use 10–12 fresh bud scales or 4–6 g dried buds. Bring 500 ml water to a gentle boil, add the buds, simmer 10 minutes, then steep off the heat for 5–10 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup twice daily for up to 7 days. Avoid in pregnancy and with salicylate‑sensitivity; stop if GI upset or rash occurs.
Active constituents. Populus tomentosa bud scales contain flavonoids such as chrysin and pinocembrin, phenolic glycosides like salicin and salicylaldehyde derivatives, and a volatile fraction rich in phenolics such as eugenol and salicylaldehyde, supporting the documented expectorant and anti‑inflammatory actions (Li et al., 2022; Ren et al., 2021).
Modern relevance. Commercial “baijiao” bud products for throat sprays and throat lozenges use standardized bud‑scale extracts, and in vitro studies show expectorant, antitussive and antioxidant activity, reflecting ongoing use and renewed interest (Li et al., 2022; Ren et al., 2021).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Populus tomentosa is used as a short-rotation fiber crop, primarily providing kraft pulp and paper products; it is also harvested as roundwood/pallet wood and serves as a model organism in plant biology and tree genetics.
Industrial and craft applications:
The species is processed by kraft cooking (alkaline sulfide process) into bleachable-grade kraft pulp suitable for printing and writing papers; pulping and bleaching behavior, including carbohydrate retention and chromophore formation, have been studied in material specifically identified as P. tomentosa (Wang et al. 2014). Industrial-scale plantings supply fiber to mills as part of fast-growing plantation supply chains in northern China. Pollen shed variability of P. tomentosa has been used in controlled crosses to produce improved poplar cultivars for fiber yield and uniformity (Zhang et al. 2004).
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented culinary or beverage uses are reported for Populus tomentosa.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented tannin, dye, or ink uses are reported for Populus tomentosa.
Wood and fiber:
P. tomentosa wood has moderate density (approximately 0.35–0.45 g/cm³), thin-walled fibers (about 1.0–1.2 mm long), and high holocellulose with moderate lignin content (around 22–25%), properties favorable for kraft pulping; juvenile wood fractions are used for board/pallet manufacture (Zhang et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2013).
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance or cosmetic uses are reported for Populus tomentosa.
Properties relevant to use:
The species’ high holocellulose and moderate lignin content contribute to acceptable pulp yield and delignification response in kraft processes; fiber dimensions and low-to-moderate density enable strong paper formation (Wang et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2013).
Standards and regulation:
Plantation poplar fiber is typically supplied under national forestry industry specifications for kraft pulp furnish; applicable product and environmental standards include ISO 9001/14001, ISO 14020 environmental labels, and the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) for legally harvested timber and derived products.
Sustainability and sourcing:
P. tomentosa is propagated and deployed at scale through improved clones and vegetatively propagated cuttings, including hybrid derivatives from controlled crosses; short-rotation plantations are managed under regional forestry policies and certification schemes (e.g., FSC/PEFC), with concerns addressed through risk assessments for gene flow from plantations to native poplars (Zheng et al. 2020). Research also documents the species’ use in phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated soils, which can be considered part of sustainable land-use management in industrial regions (Jiang et al. 2020). The P. tomentosa reference genome (v2.0) supports breeding and resource assessments that underpin sustainable fiber supply (Tao et al. 2015).
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | chinese white poplar |
| Arabic | حور لبدي |
| Turkish | Çin ak kavağı |
| Chinese | 毛白杨 |
| Chinese | 响杨 |
| Chinese | 大叶杨 |
| Chinese | 杨树花 |
| Chinese | 杨枸花 |
| Chinese | 毛白楊 |
| Chinese | 白杨 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
-
China
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Louisiana
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001133621 |
| USDA Plants | POTO7 |
| Tropicos | 28300546 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:776882-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-5000215 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 61097 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 118781 |
| Nature Serve | 2.138220 |
| IPNI | 776882-1 |
| iNaturalist | 167296 |
| GBIF | 3040195 |
| EPPO | POPTO |
| EOL | 483052 |
| USDA GRIN | 29421 |
| Wikipedia | Populus_%C3%97_tomentosa |
| CMAUP | NPO19792 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_018804465.1 | PTv2 | Chromosome | Ori-Gene Co. Ltd. | 2021-06-09 | 75 | 704.57 Mb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| 1-Methoxy-2-methyl-anthraquinone | 3534338 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)OC | 252.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,3-Dimethoxyanthraquinone | 361511 | Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O | 268.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alizarin 2-methyl ether | 80103 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| 1,3-Dihydroxyanthraquinone | 196978 | Click to see | 240.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-Hydroxyanthraquinone | 11796 | Click to see | 224.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alizarin | 6293 | Click to see | 240.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alizarin 1-methyl ether | 80309 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC2=C1C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)O | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lucidin | 10163 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Purpurin anthraquinone | 6683 | Click to see | 256.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rubiadin | 124062 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)O | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Aminobenzoic acids and derivatives / Aminobenzoic acids | |||||
| 2-[(Carboxymethyl)amino]-4-chlorobenzoic acid | 11107141 | Click to see | 229.62 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 135 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O | 138.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylmethylamines | |||||
| 2-(Aminomethyl)phenol | 70267 | Click to see | 123.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthols and derivatives | |||||
| 4-Methoxy-1-naphthol | 66542 | Click to see | 174.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| Vanillin | 1183 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O | 152.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| Monotropein | 73466 | Click to see | 390.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 52940117 | Click to see | 576.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| Asperuloside | 84298 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC2C3C1C(OC=C3C(=O)O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 414.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| GlyTouCan:G20812UT | 53301851 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 6931410 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]oxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate | 278591 | Click to see | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [4,5-Dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]oxan-3-yl] benzoate | 12444467 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=CC=CC=C3CO)CO)O)O | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Salireposide | 117440 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)OCC2=C(C=CC(=C2)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 406.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Siebolside B | 16083169 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)OCC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 406.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tremulacin | 442544 | Click to see | 528.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80067-X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid | 2518 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-Coumaric acid | 322 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| Coumarin | 323 | Click to see | 146.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| 7-Hydroxy-4-oxo-2-phenylchromen-5-olate | 25200543 | Click to see | 253.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Rhamnocitrin | 5320946 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-5-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 348162 | Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)C(=C1)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sakuranin | 73607 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| Apigenin-7-O-(6''-O-4-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside | 6439941 | Click to see | 578.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Tricin | 5281702 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| (-)-Pinostrobin | 73201 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-1978(91)90071-7 |
| (2R)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 821416 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=O)CC(OC2=C1)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pinostrobin | 6950539 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=O)CC(OC2=C1)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-1978(91)90071-7 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |