This is a commonly grown cultivar of the widespread northern species, P. balsamifera L. ("balsam poplar"). It may be derived from hybridization with deltoides (Cr; W and citations); see also Clark et al. (2005). It differs from deltoides (and nigra) as follows (W): first-year branches reddish-brown (versus yellow- to orange-brown); leaves noticeably paler beneath (nearly same color); flattened portion of petiole < 2× as deep as wide (versus >2x); early leaves with > 20 teeth per side (versus <20), the largest < 2.5 mm deep (versus <2.5 mm). The trees sucker from roots and may also establish occasionally from broken twigs, but do not produce seed; plants are reportedly all female. Most or all trees in Ky. appear to be the form known as X giliadensis Rouleau ("Balm-of-Gilead" or locally "Bamagilly"), which differs from typical X jackii in its pubescent petioles (versus glabrous). However, that form probably does not deserve formal taxonomic recognition (W). The name P. candicans Ait. has also been applied to these plants, but may be synonymous with typical balsamifera (FNA 7). Typical balsamifera is rarely if ever planted in Ky., and it is not well-documented as native within southeastern states, even at higher elevations (W).