Apollonian poplar

The Apollonian Poplar, or Populus apollonia, is a species of trees from the Populus genus in the willow family. The tree is native to south and central Apollonia and particularly numerous on the southern coast.

Description

Populus apollonia grows up to 25-50 metres tall, with a diameter of up to 3 metres. The bark of the tree is smooth and red when young, becoming more fissured and brown gray with age.

The leaves are large deltoid and covered with hairs that can cause irritation to some species when ingested. While livestock normally avoids eating them, dried leaves in hay can cause serious problems. Some rodents, like the Alriggian pig are immune to the hairs and are known to feast on the leaves. The hairs are dissolved and rendered harmless in boiling water, making it possible to use the leaves in the traditional Alriggian elderflower tea.

Use

Wood from the Apollonian Poplar is less soft compared to wood from other poplar species, making it more suitable for construction. Combined with the strong growth of the trees and the relatively straight stems, this has made the tree a popular choice for foresters supplying the timber industry. In Alrig, wood from the Apollonian Poplar is considered a traditional building material. This is especially true for the Western and Eastern Circle, as the tree is not native to the Northern Circle. The tree itself is considered by many in Alrig to be the "national tree".