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Populus x jackii
  • Balm Of Gilead

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Populus genus in the family Salicaceae.

Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Populus x jackii has 0 material uses listed
Populus x jackii has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Populus x jackii.

Material uses

An extract of the shoots can be used as a rooting hormone for all types of cuttings. It is extracted by soaking the chopped up shoots in cold water for a day[1].

The dried leaf buds are added to pot-pourri[2].

Wood - soft, rather woolly in texture, without smell or taste, of low flammability, not durable, very resistant to abrasion[3]. It weighs about 24lb per cubic foot[4].

Unknown part

Rooting hormone
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Balm of Gilead is a common ingredient of cough medicines, its expectorant, antiseptic and analgesic actions making it an excellent remedy for a range of respiratory problems[5]. It has also been used for several thousand years to soothe inflamed or irritated skin[5].

The leaf buds are covered with a resinous sap that has a strong turpentine odour and a bitter taste[6]. They also contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[6]. The buds are antiscorbutic, antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[7][8][9][10]. They are taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, sore throats, dry irritable coughs and other upper respiratory tract infections[2][5]. They should not be prescribed to patients who are sensitive to aspirin[2]. Externally, the buds are used to treat colds, sinusitis, arthritis, rheumatism, muscular pain, grazes, small wounds and dry skin conditions[2][5]. They can be put in hot water and used as an inhalant to relieve congested nasal passages[6]. Internal use of the plant is believed to reduce milk flow in nursing mothers[5]. The buds are harvested in the spring before they open and are dried for later use[2].

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the bark of most, if not all members of the genus contain salicin, a glycoside that probably decomposes into salicylic acid (aspirin) in the body[6][2]. The bark is therefore anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge. It is used especially in treating rheumatism and fevers, and also to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps[2].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antiinflammatory
Antiscorbutic
Antiseptic
Balsamic
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Galactofuge
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - must be sown as soon as it is ripe in spring[11]. Poplar seed has an extremely short period of viability and needs to be sown within a few days of ripening[12]. Surface sow or just lightly cover the seed in trays in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame. If sufficient growth is made, it might be possible to plant them out in late summer into their permanent positions, otherwise keep them in the cold frame until the following late spring and then plant them out. Most poplar species hybridize freely with each other, so the seed may not come true unless it is collected from the wild in areas with no other poplar species growing[3]. This species is a hybrid and will not come true from seed.

Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 20 - 40cm long, November/December in a sheltered outdoor bed or direct into their permanent positions. Very easy.

Suckers in early spring[13].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Populus x jackii. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it does well in a heavy cold damp soil[14]. Prefers a deep rich well-drained circumneutral soil, growing best in the south and east of Britain[3][12]. Growth is much less on wet soils, on poor acid soils and on thin dry soils[3]. It does not do well in exposed upland sites[3]. It dislikes shade and is intolerant of root or branch competition[12].

This species is of uncertain origin and only a female form is known[15]. It is very susceptible to bacterial canker[3]. Poplars have very extensive and aggressive root systems that can invade and damage drainage systems. Especially when grown on clay soils, they should not be planted within 12 metres of buildings since the root system can damage the building's foundations by drying out the soil[3]. The leaf buds, as they swell in the spring, and the young leaves have a pleasing fragrance of balsam[16]. The fragrance is especially pronounced as the leaves unfold[16]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[12].

Plants are very susceptible to canker[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Populus x jackii. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Populus x jackii.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Populus x jackii
Genus
Populus
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[5][6][7][8][9][10][2]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4]
Botanic
[3][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    30 x 12 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    11. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    17. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Populus_x_jackii&oldid=79651"
    Facts about "Populus x jackii"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySalicaceae +
    Belongs to genusPopulus +
    Has binomial namePopulus x jackii +
    Has common nameBalm Of Gilead +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useRooting hormone + and Wood +
    Has mature height30 +
    Has mature width12 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antiinflammatory +, Antiscorbutic +, Antiseptic +, Balsamic +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Galactofuge +, Stimulant + and Tonic +
    Has search namepopulus x jackii + and balm of gilead +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePopulus x jackii +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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