Are these the same? I am growing the former already, it appears to match the description of the latter exactly. I see that in Flora of China the species are listed separately, but looks pretty close to me. Any Populus experts out there? Thanks, -E
The descriptions in FOC are quite different (leaves 15-30cm long for P. lasiocarpa, 8-18cm long for P. szechuanica), and they place them in seperate sections of the genus (P. lasiocarpa in sect. Leucoides, P. szechuanica in sect. Tacamahaca). So I'd be inclined to treat them separately. If your "P. szechuanica" matches P. lasiocarpa 'exactly', then perhaps it is mis-labelled.
Hi, I am definitely not a poplar expert! From "The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs" " P. lasiocarpa;...with stout, angled,downy twigs. The leaves, often up to 30cm long and 23cm wide, are bright green with conspicuous red veins and leaf stalks." "P.szechuanica; ...Leaves large, whitish-glaucescent beneath, with crimson mid-rib, reddish when young." but it also gives a variety of P.szechuanica "....var tibetica ....differing in its larger leaves, which resemble those of P. lasiocarpa." So perhaps from a horticultural perspective not a lot of difference... Ciao BrianO
Poor use of the work "exactly" I should have known Michael would catch me out! ;) I hadn't thought to check Hilliers; good idea Brian. The leaves are around 20cm, so perhaps it could be var tibetica. The veins and petioles are certainly conspicuous. I can't say I'm overly taken by it just yet (looks a bit like a large dock tree to tell the truth) but it certainly is unusual looking... Thanks, -E
