G.91) CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 163 
G. Leaves pale-downy beneath, often cordate at base... .8. 
F. Leaves usually wider near the acute or acuminate tip, 
glaucous beneath. (I.) ‘ 
I. Branches very twiggy; leaves often opposite; twigs 
olive-color or reddish ............. 00sec ccc ee eee t 9. 
I. Branches not very twiggy; leaves all alternate ...11, 12. 
F. Leaves very long and slender, almost linear,.......... 14, 
1. Salix nigra, Marsh. (Buack WIL- 
Low.) Leaves narrowly lanceolate, ta- 
pering at the ends, serrate, smooth except 
on the petiole and midrib, green on both 
sides; stipules sniall (large in var. fal- 
cata), dentate, dropping early. Branches 
very brittle at base. A small tree, 15 to 
35 ft. high, with rough black bark. Com- 
mon along streams, southward, but rare 
in the northern range of States. 
2. Salix amygdaloides, Anderson. 
(WESTERN BLack WILLOW.) Leaves 2 
to 4 in. long, lan- 
ceolate or ovate- 
lanceolate, at- 
tenuate-cuspidate, pale or glaucous beneath, 
with long slender petioles; stipules minute 
and soon falling. A small tree, 10 to 40 ft. 
Tv high, from central New York westward. It 
a is the common Black Willow of the streams 
8. amyedaloides. of Ohio to Missouri. 
3. Salix fragilis, L. (BRITTLE WILLOW. 
CRACK-WILLOW.) Leaves lanceolate, taper- 
pointed, smooth, glaucous beneath (slightly 
silky when young), serrate throughout; 
stipules half heart-shaped, usually large. 
Branches smooth and polished, very brittle 
at base. A tall (50 to 80 ft. high) handsome 
Willow, with a bushy head and salmon- 
colored wood; cultivated from Europe for 
basket-work, and extensively naturalized. 
Many varieties, hybrids between this spe- 
cies and the next, are very common. Among 
them may be mentioned the following: 
