[2][3][4][5] Eucalyptus populnea was first formally described in 1858 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Botany.

[10] In 1990, Lawrie Johnson and Ken Hill described two subspecies, populnea and bimbil but the names have not been accepted by the Australian Plant Census.

[12] Poplar box is widespread in New South Wales where it is found on the western plains north from Narrandera and Pooncarie, extending into Queensland as far as Rockhampton.

It is most abundant in the northern and central sections on the western plains, becoming gradually less common the New South Wales far west, where it is restricted to areas that are more reliably watered and sandier.

In the far west of New South Wales it grows in small terminal drainage depressions with sandy soils overlying clay at depth.

[13] The flowers of E. populnea produce honey of a good quality, but of limited supply, and which is very dense and pale amber in colour.