53° FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



ments; pistillate of 2 sessile stigmas raised above the ovary 

 on a thread-like stalk. 



From Maine to Florida, in dry soil. 



134. Bog Willow. Pussywillow. Glaucous Willow 



S. discolor has broader leaves than the preceding, finely ser- 

 iate near the middle, entire near the apex and base, bright 

 green above, smooth and whitish below, with petioles and con- 

 spicuous stipules, at least on the younger leaves, partly heart- 

 shaped, as long as the petioles. Catkins sessile, coming before 

 the leaves in early spring, soft, hairy, glossy, the pistillate 2 to 

 3 inches long. 



A shrub about 15 feet high, variable in form, found in low 

 meadows or swamps, common, from Maine to Delaware. 



135. Silky Willow 



S. sericea bears rather long-petioled, finely toothied, narrow 

 leaves, 3 to 4 inches long, very soft and silky, especially when 

 young. Catkins sessile, with a few leafy bracts at their base, 

 about I inch long. The leaves turn black or aark brown 

 when dried. Young twigs red or purplish. 



In swamps or beside streams, from Maine to Virginia. 



Many willow-trees attain very large size, and live a long lime. 

 About 160 speciv^s of the genus are known, existing mostly in the 

 temperate and arctic regions. Very few are found in tropical 

 countries. There is considerable difference of opmion among 

 botanists as to the naming and defining of the species, one alone 

 having over 100 synonyms. They grow mostly in wet places, and 

 so are of use in holding the soil of sloping river banks together, 

 also for forming wind-breaks. The osier willows are used for 

 baskets and wicker-work. It is said that Alexander Pope planted 

 the first willow in England, by taking a twig which was in a box 

 of figs from the Levant and thrusting it into the ground. 



136. Broom Crowberry 

 Corema Conradii. — Family, Crowberry. Color, purple and 



