Salix humboldtiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salix humboldtiana
Scientific classification

Salix humboldtiana, also known as Humboldt's willow, is a type of tree. It belongs to the willow family. You can find this tree growing near rivers and streams. It is native to both North and South America. Some scientists think it's the same as another willow called Salix chilensis. A scientist named Molina first described Salix chilensis in 1782. Later, in 1805, Willdenow described Salix humboldtiana.

What Humboldt's Willow Looks Like

This willow tree can be evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves all year. Or it can be deciduous, meaning its leaves fall off in autumn. It depends on the weather where it grows. Humboldt's willow can grow very tall, up to 25 meters (about 82 feet). Its top part, called the crown, is usually narrow and shaped like a triangle or a column.

The tree's trunk can be up to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) wide. It has bark that is dark brown to gray and often has cracks. The leaves are long and narrow, up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. They have jagged edges and are light green. In places with cooler weather, the leaves turn yellow in the fall.

The tree also has flowers called catkins. These are like long, thin clusters of flowers, about 4 to 10 centimeters long. The male flowers are yellowish-green. They have six stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. The female flowers are green.

Where Humboldt's Willow Grows

Humboldt's willow naturally grows in a very large area. Its home stretches from central Mexico all the way down to southern Chile and Argentina. It can be found in places with tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. This tree grows from areas near sea level up to high elevations of about 3,300 meters (about 10,800 feet).

See also

In Spanish: Sauce criollo para niños