I live in So. Calif., the stuff I get from home depot varies in color from white, to greenish brown, to purple in color. It sands great, it fairly low density, and can be found with nearly perfect straight, clear grain. I don't know which species it is for sure, but from previous discussion (Link Below), I understand that it isn't aspen (aka popple), but is actually poplar.

> I have been reading posts about building boats out of "poplar"
> and want to try and set the record straight. Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron
> tulipifera) is a species that grows in the eastern US. Other common
> names are tuliptree or tulip-poplar. It belongs to the Magnolia family.
> If you are from the east, and you refer to a wood as being poplar,
> this is most likely the species you are talking about. Trembling aspen
> (Populus tremuloides) is more wide spread, growing across the northern
> portions of North America, and in the Rocky Mountains. Other common
> names are quaking aspen, poplar, and popple. It belongs to the Salicacae,
> or willow family. It is much more common for lumber yards in the north
> and west to carry aspen.