Salix boothii
Salix boothii | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Salicaceae |
Genus: | Salix |
Species: | S. boothii
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Binomial name | |
Salix boothii Dorn
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Salix boothii is a species of willow known by the common name Booth's willow.[1]
It is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south to California and New Mexico.[1] It grows in moist mountain habitat, such as riverbanks.
Description
[edit]Salix boothii is a shrub that can reach 6 metres (20 ft) in height. It is larger and has more branches in well-drained soils, and takes a smaller, simpler form in saturated areas such as bogs.[2] The leaves are lance-shaped to oval with a pointed tip and smooth-edged or lightly serrated. They are up to 10 cm long when mature with a shiny top surface; new leaves are covered in shaggy white hairs.[3]
The inflorescences develop before the leaves grow, or simultaneously. Male catkins are up to about 4 cm long and female catkins are up to 7 cm. Male flowers have two stamens. Its blooming period is May and June.[4]
It reproduces sexually by seed and also vegetatively by sprouting from its stem base and root system, allowing it to produce colonies of clones.[2]
Uses
[edit]This willow forms dense colonial thickets and it can be used for erosion control in riparian zone habitats in its native range.[2] It is also tolerant of wildfire, resprouting relatively easily after aboveground parts have been burned away.[2]
References
[edit]External links
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