Poplar

The poplar (Hebrew libneh, "white") mentioned in Genesis 30:37 and Hosea 4:13 is most probably the storax tree (Styrax officinalis) rather than the botanical poplar, as the storax's white blossoms and pale undersides of its leaves make "white" an apt descriptor. Jacob used rods of libneh along with almond and plane tree in his selective breeding experiment with Laban's flocks (Gen. 30:37). Hosea condemns Israel for burning incense under oaks, poplars, and terebinths "because their shade is good" — a reference to the hilltop idolatry practiced under leafy trees (Hos. 4:13).