The petals grow on 25 cm long catkins and produce round, woolly fruit.

[3] Wilson's poplar differs from it in that the former's leaves are not hairy underneath and are generally smaller with a flattened petiole and resinous buds.

[4] There are two known varieties: The native distribution of Populus lasiocarpa comprises the temperate zones of China including the provinces of Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan.

[4] There it grows in species-rich forests on mountain slopes and river banks[3] in altitudes of 1,300 to 3,500 metres (4,300 to 11,500 ft).

It prefers fresh to moist clay soil which is lightly basic to alkaline, on sunny locations.