Dusky willow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusky willow |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salix
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| Species: |
melanopsis
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The dusky willow (scientific name: Salix melanopsis) is a type of plant found in western North America. It grows in places like British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and down to California and Colorado in the United States. This plant likes to live in wet areas, such as along riverbanks or in damp mountain meadows. It often grows in rocky or silty soil.
What Does the Dusky Willow Look Like?
The dusky willow is usually a shrub, which is like a large bush. It can grow up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) tall. Sometimes, many new plants sprout from its main stem. These new plants are genetically identical to the original, forming a big group of clones. This means they are all exact copies of the first plant.
Its leaves are often pointed and can be shaped like an oval, a spearhead (lance-shaped), or long and thin. They can grow quite long, sometimes over 13 centimeters (about 5 inches). The edges of the leaves can be smooth or have small, spine-like teeth.
Flowers of the Dusky Willow
The flowers of the dusky willow grow in a special cluster called a catkin. A catkin is a long, thin group of small flowers, often shaped like a cylinder or a cone. These catkins can be up to 5 or 6 centimeters (about 2 inches) long.
