WILLOW FAMILY 



the summer. On some species, however, they are smaU, in- 

 conspicuous, and fugacious. 



The cliaractcr of the inflorescence is the same in every 

 species. It is dioecious, that is, the stamens and pistils are 

 separate and borne on different trees. 'I'liis makes the fam- 

 ilv difficult to classify, for it is necessary to study two trees 

 in order to determine one species, and the two trees are not 

 always at hand. Furthermore, the species readily hybridize, 

 and also quickly respond to environment, so that only an ex- 

 pert is competent to decide a question with regard to species 

 among willows. 



The staminate flowers are without either calyx or corolla ; 

 they consist simplv of stamens, in number varying from two 

 to ten, accompanied by a nectariferous gland and inserted on 

 the base of a scale which is itself borr.e 

 on the rachis of a drooping raceme 

 called a catkin, or anient. This scale is 

 oval and entire and verv hairy. The 

 anthers are rose colored in the bud but 

 orange or purple after the flower opens, 

 the\' are two-celled and the cells open 

 longitudinallv. The fdaments are thread- 

 like, usuallv pale yellow, often hairy. 

 The pistillate flowers are also without calvx or corolla ; 

 and consist of a single ovary accompanied by a small flat 

 gland and mserted on the base of a scale which is likewise 

 borne on the rachis of a catkin. This ovarv is one-celled, 

 the scvle two-Iobed, and the ovules numerous. The fruit is a 

 one-celled, two-valved, cylindrical, beaked capsule, contain- 

 ing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, 

 white hairs. The catkins appear before or with the leaves. 

 Although catkin and anient are interchangeable words, cat- 

 kin seems most appropriate for the flowers of the willow be- 

 cause of their furry appearance when half developed. 



The genus Str/ix is admirably fitted to go forth and in- 

 habit the earth, for it is tolerant of all soils and asks onlv 

 water. It creeps nearer to the North Pole than any othei 



394 



A Staminate and a Pistillate 

 Flower of a \\'itlo\v. 



