4 1 6 Salicinece Sa lix. 



ORDER CIX. SALICINEJE. 



Deciduous trees or shrubs with simple alternate stipulate 

 leaves and dioecious flowers usually preceding the leaves and 

 destitute of a distinct perianth. Both male and female flowers 

 are disposed in deciduous catkins and solitary at the base of 

 the bracts. Stamens 1 to indefinite. Fruit a 1-celled many- 

 seeded capsule dehiscing in two revolute valves. Seeds 

 minute, furnished with a tuft of silky hairs at one end. There 

 are two genera and about 200 species, chiefly in the north 

 temperate and arctic zones, and unrepresented in Australasia. 



1. SALIX. 



In this genus the leaves are either narrow or, if broad, small. 

 Catkins usually erect, with entire scales. About 160 to 180 

 species are known, but many of them are so similar in aspect 

 that they are difficult to determine from descriptions. And then 

 the varieties either natural or hybrid are so numerous as 

 to render it impossible to classify them satisfactorily. The 

 ancient Latin name, said to be of Celtic origin. 



The following are a few of the more desirable ornamental 

 species, including some of the commoner indigenous ones. 



1. S.fragilis. Crack Willow. A large indigenous tree 60 

 to 90 feet high. Leaves lanceolate, glandular-serrate, with a 

 long acuminate point. Petiole short, not glandular ; catkins 

 on short leafy shoots, rather long and slender, appearing with 

 the leaves. Stamens 2. Capsule distinctly pedicellate. 8. 

 Russelliana, the Bedford Willow, differs only in having linear- 

 lanceolate leaves and more spreading branches. 



2. S. alba. White Willow. This is also a large tree and 

 equally common with the last. It has very long linear- 

 lanceolate glandular serrate acuminate leaves clothed with 

 silky hairs on both sides when young. Stamens 2. Capsule 

 glabrous, almost or quite sessile. There are three varieties, 

 distinguished as follows : alba proper, young twigs olive green, 

 mature leaves silky on both sides ; ccerulea, adult leaves 

 glabrous and glaucous beneath ; vitelllna-, Golden Osier or 

 Willow, young twigs bright yellow. 



3. S. Caprea. Common Sallow, Groat Willow, or Palm. This 

 is an extremely variable species and the commonest of the genus 



