102 ECONOMIC BOTANY OF ALABAMA 



Salix humilis, Marshall. (Dwarp) Willow. 



The shrubby willows, so common and perplexing in the glac- 

 iated regions of the United States, are rather rare in Alabama, and 

 probably most of those in the state are referable to this species. 

 The flower-buds, which appear long before the leaves in earliest 

 spring, are covered with silky down and somewhat resemble a kit- 

 ten's paw. for which reason they are commonly called "pussy wil- 

 lows" in the North. 



The habitats of our shrubby willow ((ir willows) are hard to 

 classify, but the plants seem to prefer slightly damp places ex- 

 posed to the sun, and are often found in unnatural places like rail- 

 road rights-of-way and edges of fields. The following are the 

 recorded localities. 



lA. Barrens of Lauderdale County (Mohr). 

 2B. Near South Lowell, Walker County. 



3. West of Piedmont, Calhoun County (a locality where several 

 prairie plants have been seen from trains). Near Zuber, Talladega County. 



4. Near HoUins, Clay County. 



8. Barbour, Pike and Lowndes Counties. 



low. Dr. Mohr reports S. cordata Muhl. from the banks of Muscle 

 (Mussel?) Creek in Butler County. 



A shrubby species which may be different from this grows on the steep 

 face of House Bluff on the Alabama River in Autauga County. 



POPULUS, L. Thr Poplars (of the Old World) and 



CoTTONWOODS. 



Populus deltoide(s), Marshall. Cottonwood. 



The nomenclature of this is somewhat unsettled. It has been 

 called at various times P. nwiiilifcra, P. angitlata. and P. l^ir- 

 giniaiia. and Prof. Sargent claims that the name P. balsainifcra L., 

 long applied to the northern "Balm of Gilead" tree, belongs to this 

 sj^ecies or a near relative of it. (Jour. Arnold Arboretum, 1 :G2-()3. 

 1919.) We may have more than one variety, but if so they all 

 look very much alike. 



A tall tree, often two feet or more in diameter, with straight 

 erect trunk, and brownish furrowed bark. As in the case of its 

 cousin the common willow, the flower tassels appear in early 

 spring, and the seeds ripen a few weeks later. The wood is light 

 and soft, not much used in Alabama, but elsewhere converted into 

 paper pulp, light boxes, excelsior, and fuel. This species and its 

 varieties and hybrids are often planted for shade trees, but have 



