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|common_name=Willow, Osier
|common_name=Willow, Osier
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|water=wet, moist
|water_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|sunset_zones=varies by species
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|image=Willow.jpg
|image_width=200
|image_caption=Weeping Willow
| image = Willow.jpg
| image_width = 200px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
| image_caption = Weeping Willow
}}
}}
'''Willows''', '''sallows''', and '''osiers''' form the [[genus]] '''''Salix''''', around 400 species<ref name=Mabberley>Mabberley, D.J. 1997. The Plant Book. Cambridge University Press #2: Cambridge.</ref> of [[deciduous]] [[tree]]s and [[shrub]]s, found primarily on moist [[soil]]s in cold and [[temperate]] regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. Most species are known as willow, but some narrow-leaved shrub species are called ''osier'', and some broader-leaved species are referred to as ''sallow'' (derived from the [[Latin]] word ''salix'', willow). Some willows (particularly [[arctic]] and [[alpine climate|alpine]] species) are low-growing or creeping shrubs; for example the Dwarf Willow (''[[Salix herbacea]]'') rarely exceeds {{Convert|6|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in height, though spreading widely across the ground.
Willows are very cross-fertile, and numerous [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s occur, both naturally and in cultivation. A well-known [[ornamental plant|ornamental]] example is the Weeping Willow (''Salix × sepulcralis''), which is a hybrid of Peking Willow (''[[Salix babylonica]]'') from [[China]] and White Willow (''[[Salix alba]]'') from [[Europe]].
Willows all have abundant watery bark, sap which is heavily charged with [[salicylic acid]], soft, usually pliant, tough wood, slender branches, and large, fibrous, often [[stolon]]iferous roots. The roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity to life, and roots readily grow from aerial parts of the plant.
The [[leaf|leaves]] are typically elongated but may also be round to oval, frequently with a serrated margin. Most species are deciduous; semi-evergreen willows with coriaceous leaves are rare, e.g. ''Salix micans'' and ''S. australior'' in the eastern Mediterranean. All the buds are lateral; no absolutely terminal bud is ever formed. The buds are covered by a single scale, enclosing at its base two minute opposite buds, alternately arranged, with two small, opposite, scale-like leaves. This first pair soon fall, and the later leaves are alternately arranged. The leaves are simple, feather-veined, and typically linear-lanceolate. Usually they are serrate, rounded at base, acute or acuminate. The leaf petioles are short, the [[stipule]]s often very conspicuous, looking like tiny round leaves and sometimes remaining for half the summer. On some species, however, they are small, inconspicuous, and fugacious (soon falling). In color the leaves show a great variety of greens, ranging from yellowish to bluish.
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Salix (ancient Latin name of willow). Salicaceae. Willow. Dioecious trees and shrubs, planted for the foliage and interesting habit, for shade, screens, and cover; flowers in catkins, mostly in spring and in many species very early.
Salix (ancient Latin name of willow). Salicaceae. Willow. Dioecious trees and shrubs, planted for the foliage and interesting habit, for shade, screens, and cover; flowers in catkins, mostly in spring and in many species very early.
Many hybrids have been described based on specimens found in nature that presented characters intermediate between recognized species. Artificial hybrids have also been made between many species. The dioecious habit of the species seems to facilitate cross- pollination, and it is probable that the intermediate forms so frequently met with and designated in the monographs as varieties are natural hybrids. Upward of one hundred hybrid willows have been described as growing in Europe. Although as many or even more species occur in America, fewer hybrids have been detected here. The hybrids described as growing in America are for the most part between native species and those introduced from Europe. Because of the hybridity and the fact that the sexes are separated, the genus Salix is considered to be very critical and difficult for the systematist.
Many hybrids have been described based on specimens found in nature that presented characters intermediate between recognized species. Artificial hybrids have also been made between many species. The dioecious habit of the species seems to facilitate cross- pollination, and it is probable that the intermediate forms so frequently met with and designated in the monographs as varieties are natural hybrids. Upward of one hundred hybrid willows have been described as growing in Europe. Although as many or even more species occur in America, fewer hybrids have been detected here. The hybrids described as growing in America are for the most part between native species and those introduced from Europe. Because of the hybridity and the fact that the sexes are separated, the genus Salix is considered to be very critical and difficult for the systematist.
The role that the willow plays in the north temperate regions is to a certain extent analogous to that of the eucalyptus in subtropical regions; it flourishes in wet ground and absorbs and transpires immense quantities of water. It has been used to plant around cesspools for sanitary effect. But while most of the species occur spontaneously in wet ground or along stream-banks, the willows may be cultivated in various situations. The white willow (S. alba) has been used very effectively to fix stream-banks against erosion. (Figs. 3523, 3524.) Its root-system is very extensive and when well established withstands the effect of heavy rapid streams as well as wave-action. S. arctica and several allied species are among the few woody plants extending into extreme arctic regions. The arctic species are among the most diminutive of woody plants. As one goes south the species increase in size. Some of the species of North Temperate, Tropical and South Temperate zones are large trees. The arborescent species all form wood very rapidly. Specimens of white willow which may not be of great age look venerable from their great thickness of trunk and size of top. The wood is light in weight and color, finely and evenly porous. The wood has been extensively used in manufacture of gunpowder. It has also been used for many other purposes. Certain species have been extensively cultivated for many years in Europe for materials with which to manufacture baskets. S. viminalis appears to be the favorite species for this purpose. Basket willow is now extensively planted in central New York, and considerable manufacturing of this material is under way. It is probable that the Chinese and Japanese willows recently described will yield useful forms for American planting; in Plantae Wilsonianae, III, pt. 1, describing Chinese plants, Schneider admits regularly 183 species.
The role that the willow plays in the north temperate regions is to a certain extent analogous to that of the eucalyptus in subtropical regions; it flourishes in wet ground and absorbs and transpires immense quantities of water. It has been used to plant around cesspools for sanitary effect. But while most of the species occur spontaneously in wet ground or along stream-banks, the willows may be cultivated in various situations. The white willow (S. alba) has been used very effectively to fix stream-banks against erosion. Its root-system is very extensive and when well established withstands the effect of heavy rapid streams as well as wave-action. S. arctica and several allied species are among the few woody plants extending into extreme arctic regions. The arctic species are among the most diminutive of woody plants. As one goes south the species increase in size. Some of the species of North Temperate, Tropical and South Temperate zones are large trees. The arborescent species all form wood very rapidly. Specimens of white willow which may not be of great age look venerable from their great thickness of trunk and size of top. The wood is light in weight and color, finely and evenly porous. The wood has been extensively used in manufacture of gunpowder. It has also been used for many other purposes. Certain species have been extensively cultivated for many years in Europe for materials with which to manufacture baskets. S. viminalis appears to be the favorite species for this purpose. Basket willow is now extensively planted in central New York, and considerable manufacturing of this material is under way.
As ornamental trees the willows present little variety. The bright yellow catkins of some species are attractive in spring. They are considerably used as "nurse trees" for slower-growing trees that require partial shade while young. The red and yellow branches of certain willows are very bright and cheering in winter. The weeping forms are very popular, but they are often planted with little sense of fitness. The cultural remarks under Populus will apply to willows.
As ornamental trees the willows present little variety. The bright yellow catkins of some species are attractive in spring. They are considerably used as "nurse trees" for slower-growing trees that require partial shade while young. The red and yellow branches of certain willows are very bright and cheering in winter. The weeping forms are very popular, but they are often planted with little sense of fitness. The cultural remarks under Populus will apply to willows.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
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Almost all willows take root very readily from cuttings or where broken branches lie on the ground. There are a few exceptions, including the Goat Willow (''[[Salix caprea]]'') and Peachleaf Willow (''[[Salix amygdaloides]]''). One famous example of such growth from cuttings involves the poet [[Alexander Pope]], who begged a twig from a parcel tied with twigs sent from Spain to Lady Suffolk. This twig was planted and thrived, and legend has it that all of England's weeping willows are descended from this first one.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uab.edu/english/hone/etexts/edb/day-pages/221-aug09.html |title=August 9 |first=William |last=Hone |authorlink=William Hone |work=The Every-Day Book (Electronic Edition) |year=1826}} Hone quotes "Martyn", and notes that Martyn in turn cites "the ''St. James's Chronicle'', for August, 1801".</ref>
Willows are often planted on the borders of streams so that their interlacing roots may protect the bank against the action of the water. Frequently the roots are much larger than the stem which grows from them.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
''[[Salix eriocephala]]'' - [[Heartleaf Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix eriocephala]]'' - [[Heartleaf Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix exigua]]'' - [[Sandbar Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix exigua]]'' - [[Sandbar Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix fargesii]]'' <br/>
''[[Salix foetida]]'' <br/>
''[[Salix foetida]]'' <br/>
''[[Salix fragilis]]'' - [[Crack Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix fragilis]]'' - [[Crack Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix gracilistyla]]''<br/>
''[[Salix gracilistyla]]''<br/>
''[[Salix hainanica]]'' - [[Hainan Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix hainanica]]'' - [[Hainan Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix hastata]]''<br/>
''[[Salix helvetica]]'' - [[Swiss Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix helvetica]]'' - [[Swiss Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix herbacea]]'' - [[Dwarf Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix herbacea]]'' - [[Dwarf Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix integra]]''<br/>
''[[Salix integra]]''<br/>
''[[Salix interior]]''<br/>
''[[Salix interior]]''<br/>
''[[Salix irrorata]]''<br/>
''[[Salix japonica]]''<br/>
''[[Salix japonica]]''<br/>
''[[Salix jessoensis]]''<br/>
''[[Salix jessoensis]]''<br/>
''[[Salix koriyanagi]]''<br/>
''[[Salix koriyanagi]]''<br/>
''[[Salix kusanoi]]''<br/>
''[[Salix kusanoi]]''<br/>
''[[Salix laevigata]]''<br/>
''[[Salix lanata]]'' - [[Woolly Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lanata]]'' - [[Woolly Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lapponum]]'' - [[Downy Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lapponum]]'' - [[Downy Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lasiandra]]'' - [[Pacific Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lasiandra]]'' - [[Pacific Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lasiolepsis]]'' - [[Arroyo Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lasiolepsis]]'' - [[Arroyo Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lindleyana]]''<br/>
''[[Salix lucida]]'' - [[Shining Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix lucida]]'' - [[Shining Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix magnifica]]''<br/>
''[[Salix magnifica]]''<br/>
''[[Salix reinii]]''<br/>
''[[Salix reinii]]''<br/>
''[[Salix repens]]'' - [[Creeping Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix repens]]'' - [[Creeping Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix reptans]]''<br/>
''[[Salix reticulata]]'' - [[Net-leaved Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix reticulata]]'' - [[Net-leaved Willow]]<br/>
''[[Salix retusa]]''<br/>
''[[Salix retusa]]''<br/>
''[[Salix subopposita]]''<br/>
''[[Salix subopposita]]''<br/>
''[[Salix taraikensis]]''<br/>
''[[Salix taraikensis]]''<br/>
''[[Salix taxifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Salix tetrasperma]]''<br/>
''[[Salix tetrasperma]]''<br/>
''[[Salix thorelii]]''<br/>
''[[Salix thorelii]]''<br/>
''[[Salix yezoalpina]]''<br/>
''[[Salix yezoalpina]]''<br/>
''[[Salix yoshinoi]]''<br/>
''[[Salix yoshinoi]]''<br/>
Hybrids:
*''[[Salix x rubens]]''
*''[[Salix x sepulcralis]]''
Cultivars:
*[[Salix 'Boydii']]
*[[Salix 'Flame']]
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