WILLOW FAMILY 
the summer. On some species, however, they are smalt, in- 
conspicuous, and fugacious. 
The character 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. This makes the fam- 
ily 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 simply 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 born 
on the rachis of a drooping raceme 
called a catkin, or ament. ‘This scale is 
oval and entire and very hairy. The 
anthers are rose colored in the bud but 
orange or purple after the flower opens, 
they are two-celled and the cells open 
longitudinally. he filaments are thread- 
like, usually pale yellow, often hairy. 
The pistillate flowers are also without calyx or corolla; 
and consist of a single ovary accompanied by a small flat 
gland and inserted on the base of a scale which is likewise 
borne on the rachis of a catkin. ‘This ovary is one-celled, 
the style two-lobed, and the ovules numerous. ‘The fruit isa 
one-celled, two-valved, cylindrical, beaked capsule, contain- 
silky, 
A Staminate and a Pistillate 
Flower of a Willow. 
ing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, 
white hairs. The catkins appear before or with the leaves. 
Although catkin and ament 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 Sax is admirably fitted to go forth and in- 
habit the earth, for it is tolerant of all soils and asks only 
water. It creeps nearer to the North Pole than any other 
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