Aspen (Populus tremula), fam. Salicaceae.
   Quite often occurs in the forest – in the clearings, but also in rather humid places along the rivers. By inexperience, a young aspen could be confused with a birch; however, its bark is not actually white but only light-grey, and the leaves are more round-shaped. Aspens flower in early spring, well before the leaves appear (its catkins begin to open slightly even during the winter thaws). The fruit is analogous to the infamous poplar fluff. The succulent bark and the leaves contain a moderate bitter, and they are both medicinal.

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