Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Liriodendron tulipifera

 During my bicycle ride this morning I noticed that the tuliptrees are in bloom.

The tuliptree, or sometimes tulip tree, also known as yellow poplar, or even canoe poplar, though it is not a poplar, is the state tree of Indiana.  They are truly lovely trees, often growing to great height, sometimes more than 30 meters, and always with a symmetrical silhouette.

I have always believed, as many say, that the tree is called "tulip tree" because the leaves resemble the shape of a tulip blossom.  Recently, though, I note that some writers are stating that
the name derives from the shape of the flower.

It is a beautiful tree, and the flowers are stunning, though they are usually above eye level, and thus go unnoticed by many people.  I snapped these two pictures of the lowest-hanging flower on a nearby tree.  The green petals with orange and yellow accents combine to make a perfect flower.  But they must be enjoyed in the now, for they do not last long.

(This particular flower is about eight feet above the ground.  I had to pull the branch down to get the interior shot.)

8 comments:

Secondary Roads said...

For Michigan it's the apple. That was the inspiration for the song I used to sing to my lovely wife, "When it's apple blossom time in Michigan, we'll make a peach of a pair."

Secondary Roads said...

Oops spoke to soon. The state tree of Michigan is the eastern white pine. The state flower is the apple blossom. I shudda knowed bedder.

Grace said...

That is pretty...The smallish tree outside my window, the one I thought was dead, blossomed extravagantly and for some reason I just noticed that it seems to have white leaves or flowers resting directly on top of the green leaves. I must get a photo before the white thingies are gone..it is so pretty.

vanilla said...

Chuck, that's okay. Sweet song and lovely sentiment, anyway.

Grace, how interesting. Now I am curious.

Shelly said...

I have never seen one until today. Simply gorgeous!

vanilla said...

Shelly, they are striking trees: the unique leaf form, the symmetry of the canopy, then the special time of blossom in the Spring.

Slamdunk said...

Thanks for showing what is for the most part a hidden view. Rewarding bike ride!

vanilla said...

Slamdunk, happy to post it. Wonderful trees. The thing about the bike is that it is slow enough that one can actually observe things!