Tulip-tree

Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera. The genus Liriodendron comes from Greek and means lily tree, and the genus tulipifera comes from Latin meaning tulip-bearing. So the fully translated scientific name is the tulip-bearing lily tree!¹

Common Name: Tulip-tree. The common name refers to the tulip-shaped flowers. Other common names include tulip-poplar and yellow poplar,² though this species is not closely related to true poplars (genus Populus), which are in the willow family (Salicaceae).

Family: Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family). This is an ancient lineage, dating back before the evolution of bees. The flowers have large and heavy tepals, ideal for withstanding beetle trampling. Other characteristics of this family include seeds borne in cones and simple vessels in the wood.² Many species in the related genus Magnolia are familiar ornamental trees, including the famous southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora).

Average Height: 80-120 feet

Description: A large deciduous tree, typically with a tall, straight trunk up to 3’ in diameter, spreading branches, and a pointed crown on forest-grown individuals. The leaves are unique, with a four-lobed shape said to resemble a cat face! The leaves have similar length and width, usually 4–7”, and are attached by stalks 2–6” long. The large 2–3” flowers bloom in spring and have six leathery yellow-green tepals with a bright orange band near the base. Each seed is contained in a dry, winged fruit called a samara (maple trees also have samaras—some folks call them “helicopters” or “whirligigs!”). When ripe, the samaras detach and can be dispersed by the wind.^1,2,3

Bloom time: Apr – May

Notes: Interestingly, the only other species in the genus Liriodendron is Liriodendron chinense which is found in China and Vietnam!²

Range: This tree is found throughout the entire state of Virginia.¹ Primarily from eastern North America, it ranges from Vermont and Ontario south to Florida, and as far west as Louisiana and Missouri.⁴

Geology/Soil: Prefers rich, loamy soils with at least partial sun.^1,3

Habitat: Grows in a wide variety of places, from sea-level to 3,000 ft tall mountains. Prefers moist to somewhat moist upland forests or well-drained floodplain forests, but may also be found in old fields and seepage swamps.^2,3

Flora associations: Because of its wide range of habitats, tulip-trees can be found growing with a diverse set of plants. Throughout the Piedmont, it is often found growing with trees such as white ash (Fraxinus americana), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The understory may have spicebush (Lindera benzoin), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), common black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), and aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis).⁵

Fauna associations: The seeds of the tree are eaten by a number of small song birds and small mammals. The yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) drills holes in the trunk to reach the sap. While the flowers may be visited by a variety of beetles, flies, and bees, a number of insects live off the sap, wood, or foliage. As their names suggest, many of these insects are strongly associated with Liriodendron tulipifera, such as tulip tree scale (Toumeyella liriodendri), tulip tree aphid (Illinoia liriodendri), tulip tree moth (Callosamia angulifera), and tulip tree beauty (Epimecis hortaria). The caterpillar of Virginia’s state insect, the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus), also feeds on the leaves of the tulip-tree!³

Human associations: Over time, humans have found a variety of medicinal and other uses for the tulip-tree. The wood is used for lumber, furniture, paper, and even boatbuilding.¹ Indigenous Peoples like the Cherokee build canoes out of the long, straight trunks of the tulip-tree. The Cherokee also use infusions of the bark to treat fever, pinworms, and cholera infantum.^4,6

We want these plants to thrive and for everyone who gets to visit the park to enjoy them, so remember – don’t pick flowers or other parts of the plant!!

1 “Liriodendron Tulipifera .” Www.missouribotanicalgarden.org, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a878. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

2 Weakley, A.S., J.C. Ludwig, and J.F. Townsend. 2012. Flora of Virginia. Bland Crowder, ed. Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project, Inc., Richmond. Fort Worth: Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press, pp. 709-710.

3 “Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera).” Illinoiswildflowers.info, 2019, www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/tulip_tree.htm. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

4 Meyer, Frederick G. “Liriodendron Tulipifera.” Floranorthamerica.org, floranorthamerica.org/Liriodendron_tulipifera. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

5 “Basic Mesic Forests.” Www.dcr.virginia.gov, Mar. 2021, www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/nctb2. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

6 “BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database.” Brit.org, 2024, naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=liriodendron+tulipifera. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Definitions:

Deciduous: Describes trees that lose their leaves.

Samara: A dry, winged fruit dispersed by the wind. The “helicopters” from maple trees are a good example of a samara.

Tepal: Petals and/or sepals on plants which do not have a clear distinction between the two.

Vessel: A tube-like structure composed of a chain of short, thick cells designed to transport water in vascular plants.