s have dropped off, the small
scars remain. Flowers staminate and pistillate on separate trees
(dioecious), in elongated catkins in early spring. Fruit consists of
catkins of small pods with numerous seeds having silky down at one end.
The seeds usually drop early. Among the Willows there are so many
hybrids and peculiar varieties as to render their study difficult, and
their classification, in some cases, impossible. The following Key will
probably enable the student to determine most specimens. No attempt has
been made to include all the cultivated forms.

* Spray decidedly weeping 5.

* Spray not decidedly weeping. (=A.=)

=A.= Rather small Willows, 10 to 30 ft. high, with broad
leaves, usually not over twice as long as wide;
cultivated. (=B.=)

=B.= Leaves glossy dark green on the upper side,
taper-pointed 7.

=B.= Leaves with white cottony hairs beneath 10.

=B.= Leaves rough-veiny beneath 13.

=A.= Rather large Willows, 12 to 80 ft. high, with the
bark of the trunk very rough; leaves more elongated.
(=C.=)

=C.= Petioles of the leaves not glandular; tree 10 to
40 ft. high. (=D.=)

=D.= Leaves green on both sides when mature 1.

=D.= Leaves glaucous beneath 2.

=C.= Petioles of the leaves usually glandular; tree
50 to 80 ft. high. (=E.=)

=E.= Young leaves green above and glaucous beneath 3.

=E.= Young leaves ashy gray or silvery white on both sides 4.

=A.= Small trees or almost shrubs, under 18 ft. high; bark of
trunk rather smooth. (=F.=)

=F.= Leaves ovate rather than lanceolate, sometimes truncate
or even cordate at base. (=G.=)

=G.= Leaves quite broad, shining on both sides. (=H.=)

=H.= Leaves bright green; twigs polished green 6.

=H.= Leaves very dark green, strongly fragrant when
bruised 7.

=G.= Leaves pale-downy beneath, often cordate at base 8.

=F.= Leaves usually wider near the acute or acuminate tip,
glaucous beneath. (=I.=)

=I.= Branches very twiggy; leaves often opposite; twigs