Salix babylonica (sa’-liks bab-i-lon’-i-ka)
Family: Salicaceae, Willow
Key Steps
- 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 31c – Leaf is long and narrow (3-4 times longer than wide) — go to 37
- 37a – One bud scale — go to 38
- 38a – Branches very droopy, leaves ½ to ¾ inch wide — Weeping Willow
- 37a – One bud scale — go to 38
- 31c – Leaf is long and narrow (3-4 times longer than wide) — go to 37
- 22e – All leaves unlobed — go to 31
- 19b – Thornless — go to 22
- 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
Description
Leaf: Very narrow (1/2 inch wide), to 7 inches long. Finely toothed. Medium to dark green above, white or silky beneath. One main vein, other veins are parallel to each other, evenly spaced. Stipules may be present.
Bud: One bud scale, like a cap. True terminal bud absent.
Leaf Scar: Small.
Stem: Very long, slender, droopy, golden, round, smooth, shiny. Young growth slightly silky.
Bark: Corky, ridged and furrowed. Light brown.
Flower: Upright catkin.
Fruit: Cottony capsule.
Habit: Very weeping. Large, open, to 40 feet tall. Very fast growth and weak wooded.
Culture: Moist conditions.
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