CHAPTER XXI: THE WILLOWS 



Family Salicace^ 



Genus SALIX 



Chiefly quick-growing, water-loving trees and shrubs, with 

 slender, supple twigs, and buds with a single protective cap or 

 scale of two coats. IVood light, soft. Leaves simple, alternate, 

 narrow and pointed, deciduous. Flowers dioecious, in loose 

 catkins, each flower subtended by a bract having an entire hairy 

 margin. Fruit a 2-valved pod with papery walls; seeds minute, 

 in copious hairy floats. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



A. Shape of leaves linear-lanceolate, taper pointed. 

 .B. Leaves green on both sides. 



C. Stipules persistent. (S. nigra) black willow 



CC. Stipules deciduous. (S. fluvtatilts) sandbar willow 

 BB. Leaves pale and silky, hairy below. 



(S. sessilijolia) willow 

 AA. Shape of leaves lanceolate, sharp pointed. 



B. Stamens more than 2 on each scale of catkin. 

 C. Petioles without glands, 

 D. Leaves silvery beneath. 



(5. longipes) black willow 

 DD. Leaves glaucous beneath. 



E. Petioles slender; leaves thin, pale green. 



{S. amygdaloides) peach willow 

 EE. Petioles stout; leaves leathery, dark green. 



{S. Icevigata) black willow 

 CC. Petioles with glands at apex; leaves dark green, 

 lustrous, pale beneath. 

 D. Leaves leathery. {S. lucida) shining willow 

 DD. Leaves not leathery. (5. lasiandra) black willow 

 BB. Stamens 2 on each scale of catkin, 



C. Leaves pubescent and silvery beneath. 



(5. Missouriensis) Missouri willow 

 CC. Leaves smooth, with pale linings. 



IS 5 



