Salix amygdaloides
Peachleaf willow leaves
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Species:
S. amygdaloides
Binomial name
Salix amygdaloides
Natural range

Salix amygdaloides, the almond leaf willow or peach leaf willow, is a species of willow native to central North America east of the Cascade Range.[1] It can be found in southern Canada and the United States—from western British Columbia to Quebec, Idaho, Montana and Arizona to eastern Kentucky.[2] As of 2022, it is presumed extirpated from the state of Kentucky.[3]

It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 4–20 metres (13–66 ft) tall; besides the cottonwoods, it is the largest tree native to the prairies. It has a single trunk, or sometimes several shorter trunks. The leaves are lanceolate, 3–13 centimetres (1+1⁄4–5 in) long and 1–4 cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) wide, yellowish green with a pale, whitish underside and a finely serrated margin. The flowers are yellow catkins, 3–8 cm (1+1⁄4–3+1⁄4 in) long, produced in the spring with the leaves. The reddish-yellow fruit matures in late spring or early summer, and the individual capsules are 4–6 millimetres (3⁄16–1⁄4 in) long.[4][5]

The peachleaf willow grows very quickly, but is short-lived. It can be found on the northern prairies, often near streams, and accompanying cottonwoods. As the common and scientific names suggest, the leaves bear some similarity to those of a peach and (even more so) of an almond.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Arno, Stephen F.; Hammerly, Ramona P. (2020) [1977]. Northwest Trees: Identifying & Understanding the Region's Native Trees (field guide ed.). Seattle: Mountaineers Books. p. 192. ISBN 978-1-68051-329-5. OCLC 1141235469.
  2. ↑ "Salix amygdaloides". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  3. ↑ Rodgers, Devin; Littlefield, Tara; McDonald, Kendall (2022). "Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves Kentucky Rare Plant List". Frankfort, Kentucky: Energy and Environment Cabinet, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ "Salix amygdaloides". Plants of British Columbia.
  5. ↑ "Salix amygdaloides". Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28.
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