Rio Grande Cottonwood (Populus deltoides wislizenii)

Family: Salicaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Populus deltoides wislizenii is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower in April. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Flowers, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Inner bark. There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread. Catkins - raw. — There are no more details but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread.; The cotton from the pistillate catkins has been used by children as a chewing gum.; No more details are given but the seeds are very small and would be exceedingly fiddly to collect and use.; Used as a chewing gum.

Habitat & North American Range

Streambanks and valleys, 750 - 2,000 metres in Texas. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)