Salix glabra

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Salix glabra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Species:
S. glabra
Binomial name
Salix glabra
Scop.

Salix glabra, the smooth willow, is a small shrub from the willow genus (Salix). It is found in the mountainous areas of several European countries.

The smooth willow is a shrub that reaches heights of up to 1.5 meters. All parts of the plant are bare. The bare wood shows short, scattered welts. The bark of the thick branches and twigs is bare and red-brown.[2][3]

The alternate leaves are arranged in a petiole and a leaf blade. The simple, bald leaf blade is 4 to 6 centimeters long and 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide and elliptical or ovate to elongated with a blunt to pointed end, a rounded to wedge-shaped base and a glandular serrate edge. The upper side of the leaf is dark green and very shiny, the underside is whitish and has a thick wax coating. The leaf veins stand out clearly. The stipules are poorly developed.[2][3]

The smooth willow flowers from May to June just before the leaves shoot. The short inflorescence stem is covered with leaves. The kitten-shaped inflorescences are elliptical with a length of up to 7 centimeters. The bracts of male flowers are monochrome, female flowers are two-colored and bearded at the tip and have a broad nectar gland . Male flowers have two stamens hairy at the base with initially purple-red, later yellow-discolored anthers. The ovary of female flowers is stalked and glabrous. The extended stylus ends in a short and split scar.[2][3]

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 76 or 114.[4]

Habitat and distribution

Clarification

References

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