Willow

Willow Overview

Salix is also widely known as the Willow genus, it contains around 320 deciduous trees and shrubs from the Salicaceae family. This includes some dwarf species that grow to less than 6cm tall, instead spreading across the floor with a creeping habit. Willow are widely grown as ornamental specimens for their growth habit, foliage, catkin inflorescences and in some species, colourful winter shoots. Male plants produce more showy catkins, these are comprised of many tiny flowers with long stamens and no petals, usually cream, white or pink-purple in colour. Salix foliage varies across species, with narrow-leaved shrubs also known by the name osier and broader-leaved species called sallow. Generally leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with either smooth or toothed margins.