Willow Family (Salicaceae)

Willows have simple, slender leaves, alternately arranged on the twigs, and with toothed or entire margins. The foliage of willows is seasonally deciduous, being shed in the autumn. Willow plants are dioecious, meaning that particular individuals bear either male or female flowers but not both. Both types of flowers usually produce nectar so that pollination is by insects. The flowers of willows are arranged in elongate inflorescences, known as catkins. The fruits are a capsule, containing tiny seeds with tufted hairs that make them aerodynamically buoyant so that they can be dispersed widely by the wind.

Willows are rather fast growing woody plants, but they are relatively short lived. Some species of willows sprout prolifically, and they may form dense thickets in moist, recently disturbed habitats. Most willows are relatively easy to cultivate from stem cuttings.

The usual habitat of willows is moist places, often beside streams, rivers, lakes, and other surface waters.