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tulip poplar

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Liriodendron tulipifera

FAMILY	Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)
DESCRIPTION	Tulip poplars have several distinct morphological features. The shape of the four-lobed leaves resembles a tulip blossom. The bright green adaxial (top) side of the leaf contrasts the pale underside, which is especially visible as leaves flutter in the wind. The light grayish-brown bark, furrowed into flat ridges separated by gray crevices, stands out among deciduous species. Gorgeous flowers, pollinated by honeybees, bloom in May or early June; the greenish-yellow petals surround the orange interior of the corolla. In the wild, tulip poplars can create a "cathedral effect" in forests. Trees lack branches on the lower 75% of tall trunks, only supporting branches and leaves in the high canopy. Thus, the dense canopy towers far above, while the understory only contains branchless, pillar-like trunks. As one of the tallest native deciduous trees in the Eastern U.S., tulip poplars can grow to 150' and greater! The Joyce Kilmer National Forest in North Carolina preserves a population of enormous tulip poplar trees in its remnant old growth forest. Full sun; Average water requirements. Hardiness Zones 4-9
FLOWERS	Yellow (Yellow with orange band at petal base)
FLOWER COLOR NOTE	Yellow with orange band at petal base
LOCATION GROUP	N37
LOC GRP	N37
RANGE	Eastern North America

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Liriodendron tulipifera

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10 Plant Locations Were Found

MAP
KEY

ACCESSION
NUMBER

YEAR

LOCATION

1	2012-8202*A	2012	O36.3
2	2012-7778*A	2012	N37.2
3	2012-7710*A	2012	N39.4
4	2012-7626*A	2012	L33.3
5	2012-7192*A	2012	L33.3
6	2012-7182*A	2012	N42.4
7	2012-7173*A	2012	N37.2
8	2012-7042*A	2012	N42.2
9	2012-6958*A	2012	N42.4
10	2012-6749*A	2012	O36.1

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Images attributed to specific artists are the property of the photographer.

Botanical illustration Photo courtesy Wikipedia Commons	Native range of tulip poplar USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database	Leaves with 4 lobes Photo courtesy Monica Donegan	Brilliant colors of the tulip poplar flower Photo courtesy Monica Donegan
Tulip poplar at the corner of 34th and Spruce Photo courtesy Monica Donegan

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