Botanische Merkmale: Deckblätter gezähnt oder zerschlitzt; ♂ Blüten mit mehreren Stamina - becherartiges Gebilde an der Basis der ♂ wie der ♀ Blüte, das entweder als Perianth-Rudiment oder als Blütenachsenbildung oder Diskus gedeutet wird; Populus alba: Laubblätter gelappt, unterseits weißfilzig, auch ältere Stämme mit weißer Borke, Auwaldbaumart, Weichholzau; Populus nigra: Laubblätter dreieckig bis rhombisch, kahl, ältere Stämme mit grauer, grobrissiger Borke, Auwaldbaumart, schotterreiche Weichholzau; Populus ×canadensis: künstliche Hybride, P. nigra x P. deltoides (nordamerikanisch)
besonders in Flussauen häufig kultiviert (Holzgewinnung); Populus tremula: Baum oder Strauch mit grünlicher Borke, Laubblätter lang gestielt, rundlich, grob gezähnt, Pionierholz: vor allem Waldschlagvegetation.
Blütezeit: April
Erntezeit: Februar, März
Sammelgut: Knospen, Rinde
Heilwirkung: schleimlösend, schmerzstillend, wassertreibend
Mythologie: 'In ancient Greek mythology, the white poplar was consecrated to Hercules after he destroyed Cacus, a fire-breathing giant, next to the Aventine Hill which was covered with white poplars.
People offering sacrifices to Hercules were always crowned with branches of white poplar, and those who conquered their enemies in battle wore white poplar garlands.
According to Greek mythology, the black poplar was created after Phaeton’s fatal attempt to drive Apollo’s chariot. Phaeton's sisters made such a fuss mourning his death that the gods transformed them into black poplars. It is also said that fallen red male catkins are Devil's fingers, and bring bad luck if picked up.
A crown made of aspen leaves was said to give its wearer the power to visit and return safely from the Underworld. Aspen crowns found in ancient burial mounds may have been included to allow the spirits of the deceased to be reborn. Aspis, the aspen's Greek name, means shield, which was one of the many traditional uses of its wood.
In Celtic mythology, the visual effect of an aspen trembling in the wind was said to be the tree communicating between this world and the next.'
