Peachleaf willow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peachleaf willow |
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| Peachleaf willow leaves | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salix
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| Species: |
amygdaloides
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| Natural range | |
The peachleaf willow (scientific name: Salix amygdaloides) is a type of willow tree. It grows naturally in parts of southern Canada and the United States. You can find it from Quebec in the east, all the way west to British Columbia. In the US, it grows from eastern Kentucky down to Arizona and Nevada.
About the Peachleaf Willow
This tree is usually small to medium-sized. It can grow between 4 and 20 meters (about 13 to 65 feet) tall. It is a deciduous tree, which means its leaves fall off in the autumn. The peachleaf willow is one of the biggest trees that grows naturally in the prairies, besides the cottonwood trees. It often has one main trunk, but sometimes it can have a few shorter trunks.
What it Looks Like
The leaves of the peachleaf willow are long and narrow, shaped like a spear. They are usually 3 to 13 centimeters (about 1 to 5 inches) long and 1 to 4 centimeters (about 0.4 to 1.6 inches) wide. They are yellowish-green on top and a lighter, whitish color underneath. The edges of the leaves have small, fine teeth.
In the spring, yellow catkins appear on the tree at the same time as the new leaves. Catkins are like fuzzy, worm-shaped flowers. These catkins are usually 3 to 8 centimeters (about 1 to 3 inches) long.
The fruit of the peachleaf willow is reddish-yellow. It ripens in late spring or early summer. Each fruit is a small capsule, about 4 to 6 millimeters (about 0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.
Growth and Where it Lives
The peachleaf willow grows very fast, but it doesn't live as long as some other trees. You can often find it in the northern prairies, especially near streams and rivers. It often grows alongside cottonwood trees.
The name "peachleaf willow" comes from its leaves, which look a bit like the leaves of a peach tree. Its scientific name, amygdaloides, also refers to this similarity, as amygdalus is the Latin word for almond, which also has similar-looking leaves.
