May_2007

Tulip or Yellow Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera

This Magnolia family member is the Tennessee State Tree. Found across the state, it favors moist
woodlands and ravines and can grow to 100 feet tall. In late spring the tree is covered with striking
flowers that are 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter and cup-shaped. The greenish-yellow petals are emblazoned
with bright orange chevrons. The center of the flower is dominated by the conical female parts
surrounded by numerous stamens. The beauty of the flowers often goes unnoticed because they tend to
position themselves high in the tree's canopy. The 4-lobed leaf is uniquely shaped, making the tulip
poplar one of the easiest of our trees to identify.