aspen

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European aspen
• Aspen
• Poplar
• Eurasian Aspen
• quaking aspen
• Common Aspen
• waverly

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Populus stricta
• Populus davidiana var. pendula
• Populus rotundifolia
• Populus tremula var. davidiana
• Populus villosa
• Populus davidiana f. laticuneata
• Populus wutaica
• Populus davidiana f. ovata
• Populus bonatii
• Populus sieboldii
• Populus tremula var. villosa
• Populus davidiana f. pendula
• Populus tremula var. australis
• Populus australis
• Populus tremula var. repanda
• Populus duclouxiana
• Populus cilicica
• Populus davidiana var. longipetiolata
• Populus tremula var. pendula
• Populus davidiana var. lyshehensis
• Populus supina
• Populus repanda
• Populus tremula f. tomentella
• Populus microcarpa
• Populus monticola
• Populus tremula subsp. davidiana
• Populus oxyodonta
• Populus davidiana var. rubrolutea
• Populus tremula var. freynii
• Populus tremula f. parvifolia
• Populus pseudotremula
• Populus tremula f. umbraculifera
• Populus tremula var. sieboldii
• Populus davidiana f. foliotardus
• Populus davidiana f. tomentella
• Populus tremula f. flagelliformis
• Populus tremuloides var. sieboldii
• Populus rotundifolia var. duclouxiana
• Populus tremula lusus pendula
• Tremula vulgaris
• Populus davidiana var. tomentella
• Populus rotundifolia var. bonatii
• Populus tremula var. dodeana
• Populus davidiana var. pilosa
• Populus jesoensis
• Populus tremula f. sallensis
• Populus davidiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Populus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Populus tremula, exhibits a widespread presence throughout the northern reaches of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing naturally across the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends westward to include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is well-established within the mountainous and coastal regions of Norway. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various northern habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Populus tremula is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives across a significant elevational gradient, ranging from a minimum of 700 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1500 m AMSL. This species is frequently found in a variety of specialized niches, including forests and forest edges, as well as disturbed or transitional areas such as cut-over forests. Its ability to tolerate varying moisture levels allows it to inhabit diverse landscapes, ranging from the riparian zones of canals and shores to the saturated conditions found in swamps.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, cut-over forest, forest, forest edges, shores, swamps

Life history

The life history of Populus tremula is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that supports its growth as a tree. This species exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. Its life cycle is further defined by its classification as a phanerophyte, ensuring its survival through various environmental conditions via its elevated meristematic tissues.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Populus tremula is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. It is a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one, and it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant vertical development, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of 6 m to a maximum of 50 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 19.87 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

19.87375 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Populus tremula is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for temperate deciduous species that facilitates carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. As a non-carnivorous organism, it relies on standard autotrophic nutrient acquisition. Its foliar morphology is defined by orbicular leaf forms with distinct toothed margins, lacking any leaf thorns or spines. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with a mean length of 4.75 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 12 cm) and a consistent mean width of 7.5 cm (where the minimum and maximum values both align at 7.5 cm), resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 25.13312 cm². The leaf structure is further quantified by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 145.34 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between leaf area and dry mass. Structural integrity in the vegetative body is supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 477.333333333333 mg/cm³, providing the necessary mechanical strength for its growth habit.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

orbicular

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.75 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf size mean:

25.13312 cm²

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width mean:

7.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

145.34 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

477.333333333333 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Populus tremula is characterized by a dioecious sexual system, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals, and asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in April. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind (anemophily) for the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehiscence type. These capsules are relatively small, with a consistent mean fruit length of 0.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm). Self-fertilization is absent in this species. The seeds produced are extremely lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00010964575 g, a minimum mass of 7.41e-05 g, and a maximum mass of 0.000123 g. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, where the wind acts as the primary agent for spreading the seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.000123 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00010964575 g

Seed mass min:

7.41e-05 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Populus tremula has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Populus tremula has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-acetyl-1,3-di-p-coumaroylglycerol, Coumaroyl beta-D-glucoside, Esters, Flavonoids, Galangin.

2-acetyl-1,3-di-p-coumaroylglycerol

1. Biomolecules

Coumaroyl beta-D-glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Esters

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Galangin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Grandidentatin

1. Journal of natural products

Laccase

1. International journal of medicinal mushrooms

Peroxidase

1. International journal of medicinal mushrooms

Pinobanksin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Pinocembrin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Populus tremula has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic.

Analgesic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antimicrobial

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antirheumatic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Conditions

Populus tremula has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, Helicobacter pylori, analgesic, antipyretic, edema.

Inflammation

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Helicobacter pylori

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antipyretic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Edema

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Fever

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Osteoarthritis

1. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)

Oxidative damage

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Pain

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Peptic ulcers

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Populus tremula has 6 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous-ethanolic extracts, Aqueous/alcoholic extracts, EtOAc-soluble fraction of the stem bark, alcoholic extracts, extracts.

Aqueous-ethanolic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Aqueous/alcoholic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Etoac-soluble fraction of the stem bark

1. Journal of natural products

Alcoholic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products