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Cottonwood, Populus
deltoides (SALICACEAE)
Dave Powell, CC-BY-3.0-US
Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0
EASTERN COTTONWOOD grows to 190 ft. (58m) vitamin C-rich inner bark can be harvested in the
tall with a diameter of 6 ft. (1.2m). This large decidu- spring for emergency use. Cut away a patch of the out-
ous fast-growing tree has dark, furrowed bark with er bark and peel off the cambium layer. It can be dried
flattened ridges. It is found along rivers, in swamps, and ground into flour or boiled in strips like noodles,
and in bottomland forests. Note that Black Cotton- or used as a soup-thickener. The springtime catkins
wood, P. trichocarpa, is utilized in the same way, as is and leaf shoots are edible raw or cooked. Leaves are
Fremont Cottonwood, P. fremontii. edible and high in protein but are bitter; boiling in a
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Male and female flowers occur change of water helps. In late winter, the tree can be
on separate trees in early spring. The reddish male tapped for sap and can be consumed raw or boiled
catkins are 1 inch (2.5cm) long (longer in other Pop- into syrup.
ulus species). Female catkins are yellowish-green and PASTA WITH BRAISED COTTONWOOD CATKINS:
2-5 inches (5-13cm) in length (longer in other Popu- Ingredients: 12 oz. (340g) spaghetti, 6 slices bacon,
lus species). The elongated seed capsules are borne 2 onions (chopped), 1 garlic clove (minced), 2 cups
in clusters. When mature, they split open to disperse catkins, salt, pepper, 1 ½ cups cream, Parmesan. Fry
seeds plumed with cottony fibers. bacon until crisp. Reserve. Cook onions, garlic, and
LEAF: Broad glossy leaves are simple, alternate, and catkins in bacon fat. Once tender, add cream, salt, pep-
pale beneath. Measuring 2-6 inches (15-15cm) long per. Simmer for 2-3 min. Add bacon. Serve sauce with
and 4-5 inches (10-13cm) wide, leaf blades are broad- spaghetti. Top with Parmesan.
ly triangular or heart-shaped and coarsely toothed.
COTTONWOOD CATKIN TEMPURA: Ingredients:
EDIBLE PARTS: inner bark, young leaf shoots, leaves, cottonwood catkins, ½ cup rice flour, 1 eggwhite, ⅓
catkins, sap cup ice-cold water, 1 pinch salt, lard for frying. In a
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This plant is an anti-inflam- bowl, mix flour, egg white, water, and salt into a thin
matory, anodyne, and febrifuge. Its bark and buds batter. Dip whole catkins into the batter, covering
contain salicin, which breaks down into salicylic acid them completely. In a skillet, melt lard, and fry cat-
(aspirin) in the body. kins on both sides.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: The tree’s nutritious, WARNING: Avoid if taking blood-thinning medication.
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