Bay Willow

Read about Bay Willow in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Salix pentandra, Linn. (S. laurifolia, Hort. S.Humboldtiana, Hort. not Willd.). Bay-leaf or Laurel-leaf Willow. Shrub or small tree, 8-20 ft. high: branches chestnut-color: lvs. large, elliptic to broadly oblanceolate, acuminate, shining and dark green above, paler beneath: aments appearing after many of the lvs. are fully developed, not conspicuous. Eu. and Asia. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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Bay Willow with early autumn colours, Kielder, Northumberland
Plant Info
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 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.

Leaves

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.