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Salix discolor

Muhl.

Pussy willow, Diamond-willow

Salicaceae Edible: Leaves, Buds, Bark 14,012 iNaturalist observations

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(c) Jackson Nesbit, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jackson Nesbit

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(c) Misha Zitser, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Misha Zitser

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(c) Callicladium, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Callicladium

Salix discolor, the American pussy willow or glaucous willow, is a species of willow native to North America, one of two species commonly called pussy willow. It is native to the vast reaches of Alaska as well as the northern forests and wetlands of Canada (British Columbia east to Newfoundland), and is also found in the northern portions of the contiguous United States (Washington east to Maine, and south to Maryland). It is a weak-wooded deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall, with brown shoots. The leaves are oval, 3–14 cm long and 1–3.5 cm broad, green above and downy grey-white beneath. The flowers are soft silky silvery catkins, borne in early spring before the new leaves appear, with the male and female catkins on different plants (dioecious); the male catkins mature yellow at pollen release. The fruit is a small capsule 7–12 mm long containing numerous minute seeds embedded in cottony down.

Description

A shrub or tree. It grows 2-6 m tall. The leaves are 14 cm long and narrowly oval.

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Edible Uses

The leaves, buds, and bark are edible.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist areas.

Where It Grows

Australia, Canada, North America, USA,

References (2)

  • Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
  • MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 152

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