Salix pentandra
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| Salix pentandra | ||||||||||||||
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 Bay Willow with early autumn colours, Kielder, Northumberland
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Secure
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| Salix pentandra L. |
Salix pentandra (Bay Willow) is a species of willow native to northern Europe and northern Asia.[1]
.jpg/180px-Salix_pentandra(02).jpg)
It is a large shrub or small tree growing to 14 m tall (rarely to 17 m), usually growing in wet, boggy ground. The leaves are glossy dark green, 5-12 cm long and 2-5 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The dioecious flowers are catkins, produced in late spring after the leaves; the male catkins are yellow, 2-5 cm long, the female catkins greenish, 1.5-3 cm long; they are pollinated by bees. The fruit is a small capsule containing numerous minute seeds embedded in white down which aids wind dispersal.[1][2]
The scientific name refers to the male flowers having five stamens. The English name derives from the resemblance of the leaves to those of the Bay Laurel; other common names include Bay-leaved Willow and Laurel Willow. Its glossy leaves make it more decorative than many other willows, and it is often planted as an ornamental tree.[1]
It has become locally naturalised in northern North America.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
- ^ Mitchell, A. F. (1974). A Field Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-212035-6
