Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. young green leaves

Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. not blooming flower bud

Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. blooming flower bud next to young seeds

Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. bright tuliptree flower on a branch

Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. tree in bloom

Blue-poplar – description, flowering period and general distribution in Kentucky. tuliptree alley

Common name:

Blue-poplar

Scientific name:

Liriodendron tulipifera.

Other common name(s):

Tuliptree, Blue-poplar, Tulip-poplar, Yellow-poplar, Yellow wood.

Life form:

Tree.

Flowering time:

lasts for a month or more.

Flowering period

in Kentucky for this plant is: April ↔ June.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:

L. tulipifera flowers produce lots of nectar for the bees that pollinate them, and tulip tree honey is sold as a commercial product. Unfortunately, the bees are not very efficient pollinators in this species, so that pollination success is not very great.

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:

Major

General distribution:

Tuliptree occurs in eastern North America. The species ranges from Vermont, west through southern Ontario and Michigan, south to Louisiana, and east to northern Florida.

Map of distribution and habitat in USA

This plant is present in at least 30 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

Tuliptree is a tall, deciduous, long-lived, broadleaf tree. The leaves are alternate with a distinctive tuliplike shape. In forest stands, tuliptree is one of the straightest and tallest trees, with approximately 66 percent of the bole free of lateral branches. It can reach heights of 200 feet (61 m) and a dbh greater than 10 feet (3 m). The flowers are tuliplike in size and shape. The fruit is a conelike structure consisting of many winged samaras on a central stalk.

Seasonal development:

Yellow poplar flowers from April to June; seeds mature from August to late October.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in Kentucky

See the entire list