BAY WILLOW – Salix pentandra: [16 & 57 ]
Grows to 18m and the dark grey bark has criss cross ridges. It is named because of the similarity of the leaves to the bay tree. Dark green and glossy the leaves are approx. 5 to 12 cm long with finely serrated edges. Yellow, male catkins and green female catkins grow on different trees and emerge after the leaves, in late spring. Female catkins develop into a fruit capsule containing tiny fluffy seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Several caterpillars of moths eat the leaves and the catkin pollen is an early source of protein for bees and other insects. Salicin is a compound found in the bark of willows and has long been used as a pain killer, indeed Aspirin is derived from salicin.
Grows to 18m and the dark grey bark has criss cross ridges. It is named because of the similarity of the leaves to the bay tree. Dark green and glossy the leaves are approx. 5 to 12 cm long with finely serrated edges. Yellow, male catkins and green female catkins grow on different trees and emerge after the leaves, in late spring. Female catkins develop into a fruit capsule containing tiny fluffy seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Several caterpillars of moths eat the leaves and the catkin pollen is an early source of protein for bees and other insects. Salicin is a compound found in the bark of willows and has long been used as a pain killer, indeed Aspirin is derived from salicin.
