Bay Willow

From Freepedia

? Bay Willow Conservation status: Secure
Image:Salix pentandra0.jpg Bay Willow with early autumn colours, Kielder, Northumberland
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Salicaceae Genus: Salix Species: S. pentandra
Binomial name
Salix pentandra L.

The Bay Willow (Salix pentandra) is a willow native to northern Europe and northern Asia. 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 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. The fruit is a small capsule containing numerous minute seeds embedded in white down which aids wind dispersal.

The 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. It has become naturalised in northern North America.