Populus euphratica Olivier, Voy. Emp. Othoman ed. min. 6 : 319, pl. 45 & 46 (1807); Boiss., Fl. Orient. 4: 1194 (1879). Type: Described from Mesopotamia, Olivier ( ). [Plate 29]

Euphrates Poplar; צפצפת הפרת

River banks and springs. Coast of Carmel, Sharon Plain, Philistean Plain, Negev Highlands, Upper and Lower Jordan Valleys, Dead Sea Valley, Gilead, Moav, Edom. Forms riparian forests, especially on the banks of the lower course of the Jordan River; salt tolerant to some extent.

W. Irano-Turanian and E. Saharo-Arabian.

The leaves are highly variable in shape and size.

Wood remain of P. euphratica were found at over 20 historical sites along eastern Israel [Liphschitz 2007].

     Resin of bark used in popular medicine; timber soft and relatively light, suitable for certain kinds of carpentry. Fast growing, used for afforestation and planted along river banks.

     Believed to be identical with the צפצפה  of the Bible (Ez. xvII : 5). In post-biblical literature the Hebrew names for willow and poplar were exchanged, i.e. willow was named צפצפה and poplar ערבה. These names have survived to the present day in Arabic where safsaf is Salix and gharab - Populus.