Populus alba

8.8

A poplar tree with white bark and pale leaf undersides

noun

Specialized

: álamo blanco

The leaves of the Populus alba shimmer in the breeze, revealing their distinctive white undersides.

Examples

Many parks in Europe feature rows of Populus alba for their ornamental value and resilience.
Botanists studied the drought resistance of Populus alba to inform reforestation efforts.
The Populus alba is commonly known as the white poplar.
Many parks in Europe feature the Populus alba for its striking appearance.
Many parks in Europe feature rows of Populus alba for their ornamental value and resilience.
The leaves of the Populus alba shimmer in the breeze, revealing their distinctive white undersides.
The Populus alba is commonly known as the white poplar.

Synonyms

abele

vsPopulus alba

1 9.9

A poplar tree with white bark and leaves that are white underneath

is the native European and western Asian species not the North American form

silver-leaved poplar

vsPopulus alba

8.1

A tree with white bark and silvery leaves often planted for decoration

is the scientific Latin name for the same tree

white poplar

vsPopulus alba

6.2

A tall tree with white bark and silvery leaf undersides used for decoration

is the scientific Latin name denoting that same species

white aspen

vsPopulus alba

5.9

A poplar tree with white bark and pale undersides on its leaves

is the native European and western Asian species not the North American form

aspen poplar

vsPopulus alba

Specialized

5.7

A tree with smooth white bark and leaves with pale undersides that tremble

is the native European and western Asian species rather than the North American one

Surface Forms

Populus alba singular

Populus albas plural

Morphology

Populus + alba

This is a Latin binomial where the first element names the genus (Populus = poplar) and the second is an adjectival epithet (alba = white), so a learner who knows both constituents can directly derive 'white poplar'. Because the name is morphologically compositional and follows a cross-linguistically common taxonomic pattern (alba/albus = 'white' in Latin and visible in many European languages), the meaning is transparent to those who know the parts.

Etymology

Populus alba comes from Latin words: populus meaning 'poplar' and alba meaning 'white'. The name probably refers to the tree's white bark and the pale undersides of its leaves, which look white when the wind turns them, so the name describes the tree you see today.