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, 08:37, 14 November 2007
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Peachleaf Willow
| status =
secure
| image = Salix amygdaloides(01).jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Peachleaf Willow (leaves)
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Salicaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Willow|Salix]]''
| species = '''''S. amygdaloides'''''
| binomial = ''Salix amygdaloides''
| binomial_authority = Anderss
}}
The '''Peachleaf Willow''' (''Salix amygdaloides'') is a species of [[willow]] native to southern [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]. It can be found on the northern prairies, often near streams, and accompanying [[cottonwood]]s. As both the common and scientific name suggests, the [[leaf|leaves]] bear some similarity to those of a [[peach]] tree.
It is a small to medium-sized [[deciduous]] tree, growing to around 18 m, and besides the cottonwoods is the largest native tree on the [[prairie]]s. It has a single trunk, or sometimes several shorter trunks. The leaves are a yellowish green with a pale, white underside, 3-8 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. It produces yellow [[catkin]]s, 3-7 cm long, that appear in the spring with the leaves. The reddish-yellow fruits mature in late spring or early summer, and are around 6 mm long.
The Peachleaf Willow grows very quickly, but is short-lived. It can only spread by [[seed]]s, whereas most other willows can [[plant propagation|propagate]] from roots or snapped bits of twig.
{{Commons|Salix amygdaloides}}
[[Category:Salicaceae|Willow, Peachleaf]]
[[Category:Trees of Western Canada|Willow, Peachleaf]]
[[Category:Trees of Plains-Midwest U.S.|Willow, Peachleaf]]