SALICACE^E 



tical to the plane of the leaf, counteracts the ordinary 

 waving motion, which a leaf has in the wind, and causes it 

 to quiver with the slightest breeze, whence the proverbial 

 comparison, 'trembling like an aspen leaf.'" 



One is apt to think of the commercial value of trees as 

 being for cutting purposes. But out of the inner bark of 

 many trees and shrubs valuable solutions are distilled. 

 This bark is heavily charged with tannic acid. And a 

 drug is derived from this tree, which is used in the treat- 

 ment of rheumatism. 



SALICACE^E WILLOW FAMILY 



Salix discolor, Muhl. 



March-April Pussy-willow, 



Glaucous Willow, 

 Silver Willow. 



Salix: Latin classical name. 

 Discolor: Latin for two-coloured. 



PREFERRED HABITAT: damp borders of thickets. 



THE TREE OR SHRUB: sometimes twelve feet high, with 

 light greenish-brown bark, sometimes tinged with red; 

 the smaller branches at first dark reddish-purple, coated 

 with pale, short soft hairs, later dull green. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; oblong, tending to lanceolate; 

 when full grown, thick and firm; above without hairs and 

 bright green; below silvery white; gradually narrowed at 

 both ends; acute at the apex; wedge shaped or rounded at 

 the base; serrate; mid-ribs broad. 



THE FLOWERS: minute; in catkins appearing before or 

 with the leaves; white and silky before the flowers open. 



THE FRUIT: a capsule. 



Unlike many shrubs and trees, the Pussy-willow is the 

 best known when in bud. Before the " pussies" appear, 



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