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Liriodendron tulipifera

L.

Tuliptree

G5Secure Found in 106 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Photo by Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Photo by Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Photo by Susan J. Hewitt, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Susan J. Hewitt, CC BY-NC 4.0
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Photo by Lindsey G., CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Lindsey G., CC BY 4.0
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Photo by Martin Dovciak, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Martin Dovciak, CC BY-NC 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.145843
Element CodePDMAG01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderMagnoliales
FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusLiriodendron
Other Common Names
Tulipier de Virginie (FR) tuliptree (EN) Yellow Poplar (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-12
Change Date1984-06-07
Edition Date2024-09-12
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Liriodendron tulipifera is a tree found in rich woodlands, mountains, bluffs, and hills of most of eastern North America. It is a commonly-cultivated ornamental species and also planted for commercial forestry purposes. There are well over 300 occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by yellow-poplar weevil, nectria canker, and fusarium canker, wind and ice damage, logging, succession, invasive species, drought, predation, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, a high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Liriodendron tulipifera is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Liriodendron tulipifera occurs in eastern North America from Ontario, Canada south to Texas, east to Florida, and north to Vermont in the United States (FNA 1997). It has spread elsewhere as an exotic due to cultivation (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). Range extent was estimated to be 3.5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be well over 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). However, this taxon is commonly cultivated, and iNaturalist observations (>61,000) were not evaluated for evidence of cultivation (iNaturalist 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Liriodendron tulipifera is not prone to insect pests and diseases, but it can be impacted by the yellow-poplar weevil, nectria canker, and fusarium canker (NRCS 2002). Wind and ice can also cause damage to trees. Additional potential threats include logging, succession, invasive species, drought, predation, wildfire, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Liriodendron tulipifera occurs in "rich woodlands, bluffs, low mountains, and hills" (FNA 1997).

Reproduction

Liriodendron tulipifera produces flowers from April to June and is a prolific seed producer, though percent germination is poor (NRCS 2002).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/Woodland
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioS4Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
MassachusettsSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
MarylandSNRYes
IndianaS5Yes
GeorgiaSNRYes
MaineSNANo
FloridaSNRYes
North CarolinaS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
MissouriSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
WisconsinSNRYes
IowaSNANo
VirginiaS5Yes
LouisianaSNRYes
New JerseyS5Yes
New YorkS5Yes
VermontS1Yes
DelawareS5Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
ConnecticutSNRYes
District of ColumbiaS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
MichiganSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
South CarolinaSNRYes
KentuckySNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined———

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationDECIDUOUS, SPRING-FLOWERING
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (106)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Arkansas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
Georgia (12)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,974
Boggs CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,073
Cedar MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,083
Helton CreekChattahoochee National Forest2,348
Indian Grave GapChattahoochee National Forest1,020
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Miller CreekChattahoochee National Forest701
Pink KnobChattahoochee National Forest12,127
Rocky MountainChattahoochee National Forest4,269
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Illinois (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ripple HollowShawnee National Forest3,788
Indiana (1)
AreaForestAcres
Mogan RidgeHoosier National Forest8,435
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
North Carolina (24)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Barkers Creek (addition)Nantahala National Forest975
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Mackey MountainPisgah National Forest5,934
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Sharptop Ridge (addition)Nantahala National Forest600
Slide HollowPisgah National Forest193
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Pennsylvania (2)
AreaForestAcres
Clarion RiverAllegheny National Forest3,821
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
South Carolina (2)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
Tennessee (13)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Bald River Gorge AdditionCherokee National Forest1,728
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Brushy RidgeCherokee National Forest7,469
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Virginia (34)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Crawford MountainGeorge Washington National Forest9,892
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
James River AdditionJefferson National Forest1,140
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition B (VA)Jefferson National Forest3,405
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North Fork PoundJefferson National Forest4,757
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Oliver MountainGeorge Washington National Forest13,090
Patterson MountainJefferson National Forest4,865
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Price MountainJefferson National Forest9,119
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Rogers RunJefferson National Forest181
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
West Virginia (13)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Marlin MountainMonongahela National Forest9,344
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mottesheard (WV)Jefferson National Forest3,964
Mountain Lake Addition B (WV)Jefferson National Forest557
References (8)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1997. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 3. Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiii + 590 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  3. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  6. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2002. Plant fact sheet: Tulip poplar, <i>Liriodendron tulipifera</i> L. United States Department of Agriculture Plant Materials Program. Online. Available: <a href="https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_litu.pdf">plants</a><a href="https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_litu.pdf">.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_litu.pdf</a> (accessed 2024).
  7. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
  8. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.