SALIX DISCOLOR, MUHL. 41 



and trunk diameter of 5-10 inches ; one tree reported at 

 Laconia, N. H., 35 feet high (F. W. Batchelder) ; branches 

 few, stout, ascending, forming a very open, hemispherical 

 head. 



Bark. Trunk reddish-brown ; branches dark-colored ; branch- 

 lets light green, orange-dotted. 



Winter Buds and Leaves. Buds ovate-conical ; apex obtuse 

 to acute. Leaves simple, alternate, 2-4 inches long, smooth 

 and bright green above, smooth and whitish beneath when 

 fully grown ; outline ovate-lanceolate to narrowly oblong-oval, 

 crenulate-serrate to entire ; apex acute, base acute and entire ; 

 leafstalk short ; stipules toothed or entire. 



Inflorescence. March to April. Appearing before the leaves 

 in catkins, sterile and fertile on separate plants, occasionally 

 both kinds on the same plant, sessile, sterile spreading or 

 erect, oblong-cylindrical, silky ; calyx none ; petals none ; 

 bracts entire, reddish-brown turning to black, oblong to 

 oblong-obovate, with long, silky hairs ; stamens 2 ; filaments 

 distinct : fertile catkins spreading ; bracts oblong to ovate, 

 hairy ; style short ; stigma deeply 4-lobed. 



Fruit. Fruiting catkins somewhat declined : capsules 

 ovate-conical, tomentose, stem two-thirds the length of the 

 scale : seeds numerous. 



Horticultural Value. Picturesque in blossom and fruit ; its 

 value dependent chiefly upon its matted roots for holding wet 

 banks, and its ability to withstand considerable shade. Sold 

 by plant collectors ; easily propagated from cuttings. 



Plate XX. Salix discolor. 



1. Leaf -buds. 



2. Branch with sterile catkins. 



3. Sterile flower. 



4. Branch with fertile catkins. 



5. Fertile flower. 



6. Fruiting branch. 



7. Mature leaves. 



