WILLOW FAMILY 



Leaves. — Alternate, simple, two to four inches long, lanceo- 

 late or oblong-lanceolate, the lowest obovate, acute at both ends, 

 or obtuse at the apex, sparingly denticulate, and slightly revo- 

 lute. When full grown dark green, dull, puberulent or gla- 

 brous above, glaucous and somewhat downy beneath. Petioles 

 short. Stipules obliquely lanceolate or ovate. 



Flowers. — April, May. Catkins unfolding much before the 

 leaves, sessile, short, dense, recurved. Fruiting capsule nar- 

 rowly conic. 



SAGE WILLOW, DWARF GRAY WILLOW 



Siilix tristis. 



A shrub with slender tufted stems, one to two feet high, found 

 in dry soils. Ranges from Maine to Minnesota, southward to 

 Florida and Tennessee. 



Leaves. — Simple, alternate, three-fourths to two inches long, 

 three-eighths to half an inch wide, oblanceolate or linear-oblong, 

 wedge-shaped or rounded at base, obscurely undulate and revo- 

 lute, acute or obtuse at apex. When full grown thick, very 

 reticulate, yellow-green above, densely woolly, pubescent be- 

 neath. Petioles short. Stipules minute, deciduous. 



Flowers. — March, April. Catkins expanding with the leaves, 

 small, globular or oval, sessile, densely flowered ; bracts persist- 

 ent. Fruiting capsule about a quarter of an inch long. 



The Dwarf Gray Willow obtains its common name 

 from the grayish or olive green effect which the white 

 pubescence of the under surface of the leaves gives to 

 the bush. The slender stems are erect and the leaves 

 stand up well so that much of the under surface is 

 seen. This willow is rather common and is to be 

 looked for on sandy plains and on the borders of hill- 

 side thickets. 



