452 



SALICINEjE 



species of Willow, known as Osiers, are largely used as wicker- 

 work ; and the bark of many species is bitter and astringent, and 

 contains an active principle known as salicine which has some of 

 the properties of quinine as a preventive of fever. There are 

 only two genera in the Order. 



i. Salix. — Catkins usually erect ; catkin-scales entire; stamens 



2—5- 



2. Populus. — Catkins drooping; catkin-scales cut; stamens 



4— 3°- 



i. Salix (Willow). — Trees or shrubs ; leaves of various forms. 



Staminate catkins ot a Willow. 



Pistillate catkin of a Willow. 



but usually longer than they are broad, stalked, with prominent 

 stipules ; catkins usually erect or horizontal ; scales not cut ; 

 stamens 2 — 5, exserted ; stigmas usually 2-lobed. (Name, the 

 Classical Latin name of the group.) 



Shoots of these trees bearing catkins are popularly known as 

 Palms, the staminate ones with their conspicuous yellow anthers, 

 which mature about Easter-time, being called Gold Palm ; and 

 the cafpellate ones covered with silky down, Silver Pussy-Palms. 

 The 17 or 18 British species are somewhat variable: there is 

 some difference in vegetative characters between the staminate 

 and carpellate trees in each species ; and the group is rendered 

 one of the most puzzling in the plant world by the occurrence in 



