Catkin cylindrical. Empalement squamous. Blossom none. Shaft 2-cleft. Capsule 1-locular, 2-valved. Seeds downy.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Salix foliis lanceolatis, acuminatis, serrulatis, glabris, subtus glaucis: ramis pulvere violaceo tectis.
Willow with lance-shaped leaves finely sawed, smooth, and glaucous beneath: branches covered over with a violet-coloured powder.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A male flower.
2. A bit of the lower part of the stem with some of the powder rubbed off.
This fine species of willow is remarkable, first, for the gigantic size of its shoots, rising to the height of ten and sometimes twelve feet in one season; secondly, for their superior tenacity, being yet more tough than the common Osier; and thirdly, for the singular blue powder (considerably resembling that found upon the Orleans plum) with which they are always covered; and which, when any part of it has been accidentally rubbed off, is very quickly regenerated. It is said to be a native of Russia or Siberia, and to have been introduced by Mr. John Bell of Sion Gate about the year 1798. Whether it may or may not be the same species as Salix acutifolia of Willdenow, which he published without having seen the fructification, we leave to those who have seen his specimen to determine.
Our specimens are from the collection of A. B. Lambert, esq. who informs us that it produces in April male flowers annually at Boyton, and besides its great utility is a very ornamental plant.