Silky willow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silky willow |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salix
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| Species: |
sericea
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| Natural range of Salix sericea | |
Salix sericea, also known as the silky willow, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Salicaceae family, which includes willows and poplars. This plant grows in wet places like swamps and along rivers. You can find it in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada.
The silky willow usually grows to be about 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13 feet) tall. It has long, thin branches that are often a purplish color.
What Does the Silky Willow Look Like?
Its Leaves
The leaves of the silky willow are quite special. They are about 6 to 10 centimeters (2.4 to 4 inches) long and 7 to 8 millimeters (about 0.3 inches) wide. Their shape is like a spearhead, which is called lance-shaped. The tips of the leaves come to a sharp point, a shape known as acuminate.
The edges of the leaves have very fine, small teeth, which is called serrulated. The top side of the leaves is dark green and has a few hairs. But the underside is light green and covered with many soft, white, silky hairs. This is why it's called "silky willow"! As the leaves get older, they become smooth and lose their hairs. The small stem that connects the leaf to the branch is called a petiole, and it is about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long.
Flowers and Reproduction
The silky willow produces flowers in structures called catkins. These catkins grow directly from the branch without a stalk, which means they are sessile. They usually have small, leaf-like parts called bracts at their base.
The silky willow starts to bloom, or flower, in May. After the flowers, the plant produces its fruits in June.
