Populus ilicifolia

Populus ilicifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Populus
Species:
P. ilicifolia
Binomial name
Populus ilicifolia
Synonyms
  • Celtis ilicifolia Engl.
  • Balsamiflua ilicifolia (Engl.) Kimura
  • Tsavo ilicifolia (Engl.) Jarm.
  • Turanga ilicifolia (Engl.) Kimura
  • Balsamiflua denhardtiorum (Engl.) Kimura
  • Populus denhardtiorum Dode
  • Populus euphratica subsp. denhardtiorum Engl.

Populus ilicifolia, the Tana River poplar, is a species of poplar in the family Salicaceae. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania from 1°N to 3°S latitude, 37°E to 41°E latitude, at altitudes of 10–1,200 m; it is the southernmost member of its genus in the world. It is threatened by habitat loss. It requires a riverine climate.

It is an evergreen tree growing to 30 m tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. It is used locally as an avenue tree, and its timber is used for making beehives, mortars, dugout canoes and fences.