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GLAUCOUS WILLOW. 

 Salix discolor, Muhlenberg. 



FORM — A plirub or small tree usually from 6-15 feet high but may reach a height of 25 ft. 

 with a diameter of 8 Inches. Trunk short and bearing stout ascending branches which form a 

 rouHd-topped crown. 



BAEK — Thin, smooth, occasionally scaly, reddish-brown. 



TWIGS — At first hairy, later smooth, stout, reddish-purple to dark green, rather flexible. 



BUDS — Alternate, closely appressed, flattened, pointed, about i-i of an inch long, covered by 

 a solitary shining reddish-purple scale. Flower-buds much larger than leaf-buds. 



LEAVES — Alternate, simple, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, sharp-pointed at apex, rounded at 

 base, coarsely toothed on margin, glaucous or white beneath, green and smooth above. Petioles 

 and stipules Lot glandular. 



LEAF-SCARS — Alternate, somewhat raised, lunate, contain 3 bundle-scars. 



FLOWERS — Appear in March on twigs of previous season's growth before the leaves unfold. 

 Stamina te and pistillate flowers occur on separate trees; catkins densely flowered, with brown- 

 tipped bracts. 



FRUIT— A large, hairy, long-beaked, light brown capsule. 



WOOD — Same as that of other Willows. See description under Black Willow, page 90. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS— The Glaucous Willow, also known as Pussy Willow, 

 may be distinguished by its lanceolate to elliptic leaves which are smooth and bright green above 

 and glaucous beneath. The blossoms are thick, about half as wide as long. Capsules are pube- 

 scent. The scales of the blossoms are clothed with long shining hairs. 



RANGE — Nova Scotia and Manitoba, south to Delaware and Missouri. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Locally throughout the State. Rather common along 

 the main streams and their tributaries. 



HABITAT — Prefers wet habitats such as one finds along streams, on the border of lakes, in 

 swamps and semi-boggy situations. Occasionally on moist hillsides. Planted specimens often grow 

 on rather dry situations. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES — The Glaucous Willow produces wood which is of no special 

 commercial importance. The main value of the tree lies in its attractive blossoms which appear 

 early in spring before the leaves have unfolded. It also possesses a rather handsome form and 

 attractive bark. 



