Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Fremont cottonwood
T’iis
(a.k.a. Rio Grande cottonwood, Valley cottonwood)

Pattern of branches and foliage
Amy Smith Muise
Cottonwood often grow from multiple large, spreading trunks.

Fremont cottonwood is a native tree growing in riparian areas near streams, rivers, and wetlands. Its height ranges from 40 to 115 feet, and trunk diameter ranges from 1 to 4 feet. The bark is smooth in younger trees, becoming deeply furrowed with whitish, cracked bark with age. The trees bloom from March to April. The wind-dispersed fruit is attached to silky hairs, which gives the appearance of patches of cotton hanging from the limbs, thus the name "cottonwood."

Cottonwood leaves have been used for soothing poultices. Its inner bark provides a source of Vitamin C. Cottonwood often grow from multiple large, spreading trunks.

Growth habit and silhouette of a tall specimen
Brian Muise
Riparian habitat
Amy Smith Muise
Young cottonwoods growing at the edge of an ephemeral drainage
Small, green, immature fruits hanging in small clusters
Patrick Alexander
Characteristic cordate (heart-shaped) leaves with crenate (toothed) margins
Patrick Alexander
Cottonwood has been used for soothing poultices and as a source of Vitamin C.
Growth habit of a specimen in sand dune habitat
Patrick Alexander
Scientific Name
Populus fremontii
Plant Type
Tree
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitat
River valleys
Flower Colors
  • Green
  • Yellow

Copyright 2018 New Mexico State University. Individual photographers retain all rights to their images. Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023. Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer..

NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination (opens in new window).