Common Name:
Willow
About 200 species of prostrate shrubs to large trees, most are deciduous and dioecious (male and female flowers borne on different plants). Winter buds protected by a single outer scale. Leaves are often lanceolate and alternate, rarely nearly opposite, margin toothed, short petioles, and stipules often present. Flowers usually appear with or before the leaves, small, in dense catkins. Found over the entire world, except Australia, especially in temperate climates.
Salix: classic Latin name for willow, also from the Celtic sel, near, and lis, water.
Pronunciation:
SA-liks
Family:
Salicaceae