8. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
SALICACEAE
Crack Willow. Brittle Willow
Salix fragilis L.
HABIT.—A tree 50-60 feet high, with a short, stout trunk 3-4 feet in diameter; stout, spreading branches form a broad, open crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, 1/2-1-1/2 inches broad; lanceolate, long-pointed; finely glandular-serrate; thin and firm; lustrous, dark green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles short, stout, with 2 glands at the junction of blade and petiole.
FLOWERS.—April-May, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in slender, pubescent catkins 1-3 inches long; calyx 0; corolla 0; scales blunt, somewhat pubescent; stamens usually 2; ovary abortive, with stigmas nearly sessile. Staminate trees rare.
FRUIT.—April-May; 1-celled, long-conical, short-stalked capsule, about 1/4 inch long, containing many minute seeds which are furnished with long, silky, white hairs.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds long-conical, pointed, glabrous, bright red-brown, about 1/4 inch long.