684 Species of Genus Salix

Willows: A Love Affair with Salix

The wind whispers through the weeping willow in my backyard, its slender leaves shimmering like green silk. I’ve always been drawn to willows – their graceful forms, their resilience, their association with both melancholy and magic. It’s no wonder that the genus Salix, encompassing all willows and sallows, has captivated botanists and nature lovers for centuries.

As a plant enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours studying these fascinating trees and shrubs. They’re a diverse bunch, ranging from the towering crack willow (Salix fragilis) to the diminutive arctic willow (Salix arctica). What unites them all is their adaptability and their crucial role in various ecosystems.

A World of Willows: Diversity and Distribution

The sheer variety within the Salix genus is astounding. Imagine walking through a sun-dappled woodland and encountering the goat willow (Salix caprea), its branches laden with fuzzy catkins that resemble tiny kittens. Then picture yourself traversing a riverbank, where the white willow (Salix alba) stands tall, its leaves shimmering silver in the breeze. These are just two examples of the hundreds of Salix species found throughout the world.

Willows are predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in moist soils and cool climates. They’re particularly abundant in riparian zones, where their extensive root systems help stabilize riverbanks and prevent erosion. But willows are also surprisingly adaptable, with some species even inhabiting arctic and alpine regions.

Here’s a glimpse into the diversity of the Salix genus:

1. Salix × aberrans A.Camus & E.G.Camus
2. Salix abscondita Laksch.
3. Salix acmophylla Boiss.
4. Salix acutifolia Willd.
5. Salix aegaea Cambria, C.Brullo, Giusso, Sciandr., Siracusa & Brullo
6. Salix aegyptiaca L.
7. Salix aeruginosa E.Carranza
8. Salix alatavica Kar. ex Stschegl.
9. Salix alaxensis (Andersson) Coville
10. Salix alba L.
11. Salix alexii-skvortzovii A.P.Khokhr.
12. Salix × algista C.K.Schneid.
13. Salix × alpigena A.Kern.
14. Salix alpina Scop.
15. Salix × altobracensis H.J.Coste
16. Salix × ambigua Ehrh.
17. Salix × amoena Fernald
18. Salix × ampherista C.K.Schneid.
19. Salix amphibola C.K.Schneid.
20. Salix amplexicaulis Bory & Chaub.
21. Salix amygdaloides Andersson
22. Salix anatolica Ziel. & D.Tomasz.
23. Salix × angusensis Rech.f.
24. Salix annulifera C.Marquand & Airy Shaw
25. Salix anticecrenata Kimura
26. Salix apennina A.K.Skvortsov
27. Salix apoda Trautv.
28. Salix appendiculata Vill.
29. Salix × arakiana Koidz.
30. Salix arbuscula L.
31. Salix arbusculoides Andersson
32. Salix arbutifolia Pall.
33. Salix arctica Pall.
34. Salix arctophila Cockerell
35. Salix × ardana Ziel. & Petrova
36. Salix × argusii B.Boivin
37. Salix argyracea E.L.Wolf
38. Salix argyrocarpa Andersson
39. Salix argyrophegga C.K.Schneid.
40. Salix argyrotrichocarpa C.F.Fang
41. Salix × arikae H.Ohashi & Yonek.
42. Salix arizonica Dorn
43. Salix armenorossica A.K.Skvortsov
44. Salix arrigonii Brullo
45. Salix × aschersoniana Seemen
46. Salix athabascensis Raup
47. Salix atopantha C.K.Schneid.
48. Salix atrocinerea Brot.
49. Salix × atroelaeagnos L.Serra & M.B.Crespo
50. Salix aurita L.
51. Salix × austriaca Host
52. Salix austrotibetica N.Chao
53. Salix babylonica L.
54. Salix baileyi C.K.Schneid.
55. Salix baladehensis Maassoumi, Moeeni & Rahimin.
56. Salix balansae Seemen
57. Salix balfouriana C.K.Schneid.
58. Salix × balfourii E.F.Linton
59. Salix ballii Dorn
60. Salix bangongensis Z.Wang & C.F.Fang
61. Salix barclayi Andersson
62. Salix barrattiana Hook.
63. Salix bebbiana Sarg.
64. Salix × beckiana Beck
65. Salix × beckii Soó
66. Salix berberifolia Pall.
67. Salix × besschelii B.Boivin
68. Salix × bifida Wulfen
69. Salix bikouensis Y.L.Chou
70. Salix biondiana Seemen
71. Salix bistyla Hand.-Mazz.
72. Salix blakii Goerz
73. Salix × blakolgae Drobow
74. Salix blinii H.Lév.
75. Salix × blyttiana Andersson
76. Salix × boettcheri Seemen
77. Salix bonplandiana Kunth
78. Salix boothii Dorn
79. Salix borealis Fr.
80. Salix bouffordii A.K.Skvortsov
81. Salix × boulayi F.Gérard
82. Salix brachycarpa Nutt.
83. Salix brachypoda (Trautv. & C.A.Mey.) Kom.
84. Salix × brachypurpurea B.Boivin
85. Salix breviserrata Flod.
86. Salix breweri Bebb
87. Salix × browiczii Ziel., D.Tomasz. & Kosiński
88. Salix brutia Brullo & G.Spamp.
89. Salix bulkingensis Chang Y.Yang
90. Salix × buseri Favrat
91. Salix cacuminis A.K.Skvortsov
92. Salix caesia Vill.
93. Salix calcicola Fernald & Wiegand
94. Salix × calliantha Jos.Kern.
95. Salix calostachya Andersson
96. Salix calyculata Hook.f. ex Andersson
97. Salix cana M.Martens & Galeotti
98. Salix candida Flüggé ex Willd.
99. Salix × canescens Willd.
100. Salix cantabrica Rech.f.
101. Salix × capnoides A.Kern. & Jos.Kern. ex Beck
102. Salix caprea L.
103. Salix × capreola A.Kern. ex Andersson
104. Salix capusii Franch.
105. Salix cardiophylla Trautv. & C.A.Mey.
106. Salix carmanica Bornm.
107. Salix caroliniana Michx.
108. Salix cascadensis Cockerell
109. Salix caspica Pall.
110. Salix cathayana Diels
111. Salix caucasica Andersson
112. Salix cavaleriei H.Lév.
113. Salix × cernua E.F.Linton
114. Salix chaenomeloides Kimura
115. Salix chamissonis Andersson
116. Salix characta C.K.Schneid.
117. Salix × charrieri Chass.
118. Salix cheilophila C.K.Schneid.
119. Salix chevalieri Seemen
120. Salix chienii Cheng
121. Salix chikungensis C.K.Schneid.
122. Salix chlorolepis Fernald
123. Salix cinerea L.
124. Salix clathrata Hand.-Mazz.
125. Salix × coerulescens Döll
126. Salix coggygria Hand.-Mazz.
127. Salix columbiana (Dorn) Argus
128. Salix coluteoides Mirb.
129. Salix commutata Bebb
130. Salix × confinis A.Camus & E.G.Camus
131. Salix × conifera Wangenh.
132. Salix contortiapiculata P.I.Mao & W.Z.Li
133. Salix cordata Michx.
134. Salix × cottetii A.Kern.
135. Salix crataegifolia Bertol.
136. Salix × cremnophila Kimura
137. Salix × cryptodonta Fernald
138. Salix cupularis Rehder
139. Salix cyanolimenaea Hance
140. Salix dabeshanensis B.C.Ding & T.B.Chao
141. Salix daguanensis P.I.Mao & P.X.He
142. Salix daliensis C.F.Fang & S.D.Zhao
143. Salix daltoniana Andersson
144. Salix dalungensis Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
145. Salix daphnoides Vill.
146. Salix delavayana Hand.-Mazz.
147. Salix delnortensis C.K.Schneid.
148. Salix denticulata Andersson
149. Salix × devestita Arv.-Touv.
150. Salix × diazii Idrees & J.M.H.Shaw
151. Salix dibapha C.K.Schneid.
152. Salix × dichroa Döll
153. Salix × dieckiana Suksd.
154. Salix × digenea Jos.Kern.
155. Salix discolor Muhl.
156. Salix disperma Roxb. ex D.Don
157. Salix dissa C.K.Schneid.
158. Salix divaricata Pall.
159. Salix divergentistyla C.F.Fang
160. Salix doii Hayata
161. Salix dolichostachya Flod.
162. Salix donggouxianica C.F.Fang
163. Salix × doniana Sm.
164. Salix driophila C.K.Schneid.
165. Salix drummondiana Barratt ex Hook.
166. Salix dshugdshurica A.K.Skvortsov
167. Salix × dutillyi Lepage
168. Salix eastwoodiae Cockerell ex A.Heller
169. Salix elbrusensis Boiss.
170. Salix eleagnos Scop.
171. Salix elymaitica Maassoumi
172. Salix × erdingeri A.Kern.
173. Salix × eriocataphylla Kimura
174. Salix × eriocataphylloides Kimura
175. Salix eriocephala Michx.
176. Salix erioclada H.Lév. & Vaniot
177. Salix × eriophora Borbás
178. Salix eriostachya Wall. ex Andersson
179. Salix ernestii C.K.Schneid.
180. Salix erythrocarpa Kom.
181. Salix etosia C.K.Schneid.
182. Salix × euerata Kimura
183. Salix × euryadenia Ausserd. ex A.Kern.
184. Salix euxina I.V.Belyaeva
185. Salix excelsa S.G.Gmel.
186. Salix exigua Nutt.
187. Salix famelica (C.R.Ball) Argus
188. Salix fargesii Burkill
189. Salix farriae C.R.Ball
190. Salix faxonianoides Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
191. Salix fedtschenkoi Goerz
192. Salix × felina Buser ex A.Camus & E.G.Camus
193. Salix fengiana C.F.Fang & Chang Y.Yang
194. Salix × finnmarchica Willd.
195. Salix firouzkuhensis Maassoumi
196. Salix flabellaris Andersson
197. Salix floccosa Burkill
198. Salix floridana Chapm.
199. Salix × flueggeana Willd.
200. Salix foetida Schleich. ex DC.
201. Salix × forbesiana Druce
202. Salix × forbyana Sm.
203. Salix forrestii K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
204. Salix × fragilis L.
205. Salix × friesiana Andersson
206. Salix × fruticosa Döll
207. Salix fruticulosa Andersson
208. Salix fulvopubescens Hayata
209. Salix fuscescens Andersson
210. Salix futura Seemen
211. Salix × gaspensis C.K.Schneid.
212. Salix geyeriana Andersson
213. Salix gilashanica Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
214. Salix gilgiana Seemen
215. Salix × gillotii A.Camus & E.G.Camus
216. Salix glabra Scop.
217. Salix glareorum P.I.Mao & W.Z.Li
218. Salix × glatfelteri C.K.Schneid.
219. Salix glauca L.
220. Salix gmelinii Pall.
221. Salix gonggashanica C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
222. Salix gooddingii C.R.Ball
223. Salix gordejevii Y.L.Chang & Skvortsov
224. Salix gracilior (Siuzew) Nakai
225. Salix gracilistyla Miq.
226. Salix × grahamii Borrer ex Baker
227. Salix × grayi C.K.Schneid.
228. Salix × guinieri Chass. & Goerz
229. Salix gussonei Brullo & G.Spamp.
230. Salix gyamdaensis C.F.Fang
231. Salix gyirongensis S.D.Zhao & C.F.Fang
232. Salix × hachiojiensis Yoshiyama
233. Salix hainanica A.K.Skvortsov
234. Salix × hankensonii Dode
235. Salix haoana W.P.Fang
236. Salix × hapala Kimura
237. Salix hartwegii Benth.
238. Salix hastata L.
239. Salix × hatusimae Kimura
240. Salix × hayatana Kimura
241. Salix × hebecarpa (Fernald) Fernald
242. Salix hegetschweileri Heer
243. Salix heishuiensis N.Chao
244. Salix helvetica Vill.
245. Salix herbacea L.
246. Salix × hermaphroditica L.
247. Salix heterochroma Seemen
248. Salix × heteromera Hand.-Mazz.
249. Salix × hexandra Ehrh.
250. Salix × hiraoana Kimura
251. Salix × hirsutophylla A.Camus & E.G.Camus
252. Salix × hirtii Strähler
253. Salix × hisauchiana Koidz.
254. Salix × holosericea Willd.
255. Salix hookeriana Barratt ex Hook.
256. Salix × hostii A.Kern.
257. Salix × hudsonensis C.K.Schneid.
258. Salix hukaoana Kimura
259. Salix humboldtiana Willd.
260. Salix humilis Marshall
261. Salix hupehensis K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
262. Salix hylonoma C.K.Schneid.
263. Salix hypoleuca Seemen
264. Salix × ikenoana Kimura
265. Salix iliensis Regel
266. Salix inamoena Hand.-Mazz.
267. Salix integra Thunb.
268. Salix interior Rowlee
269. Salix × intermedia Host
270. Salix × inticensis Huter
271. Salix ionica Brullo, F.Scelsi & G.Spamp.
272. Salix × irreflexa Borbás
273. Salix irrorata Andersson
274. Salix issatissensis Maassoumi, Moeeni & Rahimin.
275. Salix × iwahisana Kimura
276. Salix jaliscana M.E.Jones
277. Salix × jamesensis Lepage
278. Salix japonica Thunb.
279. Salix × japopina Kimura
280. Salix jejuna Fernald
281. Salix jenisseensis (F.Schmidt) Flod.
282. Salix jepsonii C.K.Schneid.
283. Salix × jesupii Fernald
284. Salix jinchuanica N.Chao
285. Salix jingdongensis C.F.Fang
286. Salix juparica Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
287. Salix jurtzevii A.K.Skvortsov
288. Salix kalarica (A.K.Skvortsov) Vorosch.
289. Salix kamanica Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
290. Salix × kamikotica Kimura
291. Salix kangdingensis S.D.Zhao & C.F.Fang
292. Salix kangensis Nakai
293. Salix kaptarae Cambria, C.Brullo & Brullo
294. Salix karelinii Turcz. ex Stschegl.
295. Salix × kawamurana Kimura
296. Salix kazbekensis A.K.Skvortsov
297. Salix khokhriakovii A.K.Skvortsov
298. Salix kikodseae Goerz
299. Salix kirilowiana Stschegl.
300. Salix kochiana Trautv.
301. Salix koeieana A.K.Skvortsov
302. Salix × koidzumii Kimura
303. Salix × koiei Kimura
304. Salix kongbanica Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
305. Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz
306. Salix kouytchensis C.K.Schneid.
307. Salix × krausei Andersson
308. Salix krylovii E.L.Wolf
309. Salix × kudoi Kimura
310. Salix kungmuensis P.I.Mao & W.Z.Li
311. Salix kunyangensis S.S.Ying
312. Salix kusanoi (Hayata) C.K.Schneid.
313. Salix kuznetzowii Laksch. ex Goerz
314. Salix lacus-tari Maassoumi & Kazempour
315. Salix laevigata Bebb
316. Salix laggeri Wimm.
317. Salix lamashanensis K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
318. Salix × lambertiana Sm.
319. Salix lanata L.
320. Salix lanifera C.F.Fang & S.D.Zhao
321. Salix lapponum L.
322. Salix × laschiana Zahn
323. Salix lasiandra Benth.
324. Salix lasiolepis Benth.
325. Salix × latifolia J.Forbes
326. Salix × laurentiana Fernald
327. Salix × laurina Sm.
328. Salix ledebouriana Trautv.
329. Salix ledermannii Seemen
330. Salix × legionensis Llamas & Penas
331. Salix × leiophylla A.Camus & E.G.Camus
332. Salix lemmonii Bebb
333. Salix × leucopithecia Kimura
334. Salix × liegnitzensis A.Camus & E.G.Camus
335. Salix ligulifolia (C.R.Ball) C.R.Ball ex C.K.Schneid.
336. Salix limprichtii Pax & K.Hoffm.
337. Salix lindleyana Wall. ex Andersson
338. Salix × lintonii A.Camus & E.G.Camus
339. Salix liouana C.Wang & Chang Y.Yang
340. Salix × litigiosa A.Camus & E.G.Camus
341. Salix × livescens Döll
342. Salix × lochsiensis D.J.Tennant
343. Salix longiamentacea Charit.
344. Salix longiflora Wall. ex Andersson
345. Salix longissimipedicellaris N.Chao ex P.I.Mao
346. Salix longistamina Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
347. Salix lucida Muhl.
348. Salix luctuosa H.Lév.
349. Salix × ludibunda A.Camus & E.G.Camus
350. Salix × ludificans F.B.White
351. Salix ludingensis T.Y.Ding & C.F.Fang
352. Salix ludlowiana A.K.Skvortsov
353. Salix lutea Nutt.
354. Salix luzhongensis X.W.Li & Y.Q.Zhu
355. Salix × lyonensis D.J.Tennant
356. Salix maccalliana Rowlee
357. Salix macroblasta C.K.Schneid.
358. Salix maerkangensis N.Chao
359. Salix magnifica Hemsl.
360. Salix × marchettii Merli & F.Martini
361. Salix × margaretae Seemen
362. Salix × margarita F.B.White
363. Salix × mariana Woł.
364. Salix × maritima Hartig
365. Salix × matsumurae Seemen
366. Salix mazzettiana N.Chao
367. Salix medogensis Y.L.Chou
368. Salix × meikleana D.J.Tennant
369. Salix melanopsis Nutt.
370. Salix metaglauca Chang Y.Yang
371. Salix mexicana Seemen
372. Salix michelsonii Goerz ex Nasarow
373. Salix microstachya Turcz. ex Trautv.
374. Salix × microstemon Kimura
375. Salix mielichhoferi Saut.
376. Salix minjiangensis N.Chao
377. Salix miyabeana Seemen
378. Salix × mollissima Hoffm. ex Elwert
379. Salix monochroma C.R.Ball
380. Salix × montana Host
381. Salix monticola Bebb
382. Salix morrisonicola Kimura
383. Salix moupinensis Franch.
384. Salix mucronata Thunb.
385. Salix muliensis Goerz
386. Salix × multinervis Döll
387. Salix myricoides Muhl.
388. Salix myrsinifolia Salisb.
389. Salix myrsinites L.
390. Salix myrtillacea Andersson
391. Salix myrtillifolia Andersson
392. Salix myrtilloides L.
393. Salix × myrtoides Döll
394. Salix nakamurana Koidz.
395. Salix nasarovii A.K.Skvortsov
396. Salix × nasuensis Kimura
397. Salix nebrodensis C.Brullo, Brullo, Cambria & Giusso
398. Salix neoamnematchinensis T.Y.Ding & C.F.Fang
399. Salix neolapponum Chang Y.Yang
400. Salix × neuburgensis Erdner
401. Salix niedzwieckii Goerz
402. Salix nigra Marshall
403. Salix niphoclada Rydb.
404. Salix nipponica Franch. & Sav.
405. Salix nivalis Hook.
406. Salix × nobrei Samp. ex Cout.
407. Salix × notha Andersson
408. Salix nujiangensis N.Chao
409. Salix nummularia Andersson
410. Salix nuristanica A.K.Skvortsov
411. Salix obscura Andersson
412. Salix × obtusata Fernald
413. Salix × obtusifolia Willd.
414. Salix ochetophylla Goerz
415. Salix okamotoana Koidz.
416. Salix × oleifolia Vill.
417. Salix olgae Regel
418. Salix omeiensis C.K.Schneid.
419. Salix × onychiophylla Andersson
420. Salix opsimantha C.K.Schneid.
421. Salix oreinoma C.K.Schneid.
422. Salix oreophila Hook.f. ex Andersson
423. Salix orestera C.K.Schneid.
424. Salix oritrepha C.K.Schneid.
425. Salix oropotamica Brullo, F.Scelsi & G.Spamp.
426. Salix ovalifolia Trautv.
427. Salix pantosericea Goerz
428. Salix paradoxa Kunth
429. Salix paraflabellaris S.D.Zhao
430. Salix paraheterochroma Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
431. Salix paraphylicifolia Chang Y.Yang
432. Salix paraplesia C.K.Schneid.
433. Salix paratetradenia Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
434. Salix parvidenticulata C.F.Fang
435. Salix × peasei Fernald
436. Salix pedicellaris Pursh
437. Salix pedicellata Desf.
438. Salix × pedionoma Kimura
439. Salix × pedunculata Fernald
440. Salix pella C.K.Schneid.
441. Salix pellita (Andersson) Bebb
442. Salix × peloritana Prestandr. ex Tineo
443. Salix × pendulina Wender.
444. Salix pentandra L.
445. Salix pentandrifolia Sennikov
446. Salix × permixta Jeanne Webb
447. Salix permollis C.Wang & C.Y.Yu
448. Salix × perthensis Druce
449. Salix petiolaris Sm.
450. Salix petrophila Rydb.
451. Salix × phaeophylla Andersson
452. Salix phaidima C.K.Schneid.
453. Salix phanera C.K.Schneid.
454. Salix phlebophylla Andersson
455. Salix phylicifolia L.
456. Salix pierotii Miq.
457. Salix pilosomicrophylla Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
458. Salix pilushanensis S.S.Ying
459. Salix piptotricha Hand.-Mazz.
460. Salix × pithoensis Rouy
461. Salix planifolia Pursh
462. Salix plectilis Kimura
463. Salix plocotricha C.K.Schneid.
464. Salix polaris Wahlenb.
465. Salix × polgari Soó
466. Salix polyclona C.K.Schneid.
467. Salix × pormensis T.E.Díaz & Llamas
468. Salix × praegaudens H.Ohashi & Yoshiyama
469. Salix praticola Hand.-Mazz. ex Enander
470. Salix × princeps-ourayi Kelso
471. Salix prolixa Andersson
472. Salix psammophila C.Wang & Chang Y.Yang
473. Salix pseudocalyculata Kimura
474. Salix pseudodepressa A.K.Skvortsov
475. Salix × pseudodoniana Rouy
476. Salix × pseudoelaeagnos T.E.Díaz & Llamas
477. Salix × pseudoglauca Andersson
478. Salix pseudomedemii E.L.Wolf
479. Salix pseudomonticola C.R.Ball
480. Salix pseudomyrsinites Andersson
481. Salix × pseudopaludicola Kimura
482. Salix pseudopentandra (Flod.) Flod.
483. Salix pseudopermollis C.Y.Yu & Chang Y.Yang
484. Salix × pseudosalvifolia T.E.Díaz & E.Puente
485. Salix pseudospissa Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
486. Salix pseudotangii C.Wang & C.Y.Yu
487. Salix pseudowallichiana Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
488. Salix pseudowolohoensis K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
489. Salix psilostigma Andersson
490. Salix pulchra Cham.
491. Salix × punctata Wahlenb.
492. Salix purpurea L.
493. Salix pycnostachya Andersson
494. Salix pyrenaica Gouan
495. Salix pyrifolia Andersson
496. Salix pyrolifolia Ledeb.
497. Salix qamdoensis N.Chao & J.Liu
498. Salix qinghaiensis Y.L.Chou
499. Salix qinlingica C.Wang & N.Chao
500. Salix × quercifolia Sennen ex Goerz
501. Salix radinostachya C.K.Schneid.
502. Salix × ramosissima A.Camus & E.G.Camus
503. Salix raupii Argus
504. Salix rectijulis Ledeb. ex Trautv.
505. Salix recurvigemmata A.K.Skvortsov
506. Salix rehderiana C.K.Schneid.
507. Salix × reichardtii A.Kern.
508. Salix reinii Franch. & Sav. ex Seemen
509. Salix reinii-affinis A.E.Kozhevn. & Kozhevnikova
510. Salix repens L.
511. Salix reptans Rupr.
512. Salix resecta Diels
513. Salix resectoides Hand.-Mazz.
514. Salix reticulata L.
515. Salix retusa L.
516. Salix × retusoides Jos.Kern.
517. Salix rhamnifolia Pall.
518. Salix rhododendrifolia Z.Wang & P.Y.Fu
519. Salix rhododendroides C.Wang & C.Y.Yu
520. Salix rhoophila C.K.Schneid.
521. Salix × rijosa Rivas Mart., T.E.Díaz, Fern.Prieto, Loidi & Penas
522. Salix riskindii M.C.Johnst.
523. Salix rizeensis Güner & J.Ziel.
524. Salix rockii Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
525. Salix rorida Laksch.
526. Salix rosmarinifolia L.
527. Salix rotundifolia Trautv.
528. Salix × rubella Bebb ex Rowlee & Wiegand
529. Salix × rubra Huds.
530. Salix × rubriformis Tourlet
531. Salix × rugulosa Andersson
532. Salix rupifraga Koidz.
533. Salix × sadleri Syme
534. Salix sajanensis Nasarow
535. Salix × sakaii H.Ohashi & Yonek.
536. Salix × sakamakiensis Yoshiyama
537. Salix salviifolia Brot.
538. Salix salwinensis Hand.-Mazz. ex Enander
539. Salix saposhnikovii A.K.Skvortsov
540. Salix saxatilis Turcz. ex Ledeb.
541. Salix × saxetana F.B.White
542. Salix × schaburovii I.V.Belyaeva
543. Salix × schatilowii R.I.Schröd. ex Dippel
544. Salix × schatzii Sagorski
545. Salix × schneideri B.Boivin
546. Salix × scholzii Rouy
547. Salix × schumanniana Seemen
548. Salix schwerinii E.L.Wolf
549. Salix sclerophylla Andersson
550. Salix scouleriana Barratt ex Hook.
551. Salix × scrobigera Woł.
552. Salix × secerneta F.B.White
553. Salix × semimyrtilloides A.Camus & E.G.Camus
554. Salix × seminigricans A.Camus & E.G.Camus
555. Salix × semireticulata F.B.White
556. Salix × sendaica Kimura
557. Salix sericea Marshall
558. Salix sericocarpa Andersson
559. Salix serissima (L.H.Bailey ex Arthur) Fernald
560. Salix serpillifolia Scop.
561. Salix serpyllum Andersson
562. Salix × sesquitertia F.B.White
563. Salix sessilifolia Nutt.
564. Salix setchelliana C.R.Ball
565. Salix shandanensis C.F.Fang
566. Salix shangchengensis B.C.Ding & T.B.Chao
567. Salix shihtsuanensis C.Wang & C.Y.Yu
568. Salix shiraii Seemen
569. Salix × sibyllina F.B.White
570. Salix sichotensis Kharkev. & Vyschin
571. Salix sieboldiana Blume
572. Salix × sigemitui Kimura
573. Salix sikkimensis Andersson
574. Salix silesiaca Willd.
575. Salix silicicola Raup
576. Salix × simulatrix F.B.White
577. Salix sinica (K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov) G.H.Zhu
578. Salix sinopurpurea C.Wang & Chang Y.Yang
579. Salix × sirakawensis Kimura
580. Salix sitchensis Sanson ex Bong.
581. Salix × sobrina F.B.White
582. Salix × solheimii Kelso
583. Salix × sonderiana Junge
584. Salix songarica Andersson
585. Salix spathulifolia Seemen
586. Salix × speciosa Host
587. Salix sphaeronymphe Goerz
588. Salix sphenophylla A.K.Skvortsov
589. Salix spodiophylla Hand.-Mazz.
590. Salix staintoniana A.K.Skvortsov
591. Salix starkeana Willd.
592. Salix stolonifera Coville
593. Salix stomatophora Flod.
594. Salix × straehleri Seemen
595. Salix × strepida J.Forbes
596. Salix × subglabra A.Kern.
597. Salix subopposita Miq.
598. Salix × subsericea Döll
599. Salix suchowensis W.C.Cheng
600. Salix × sugayana Kimura
601. Salix sumiyosensis Kimura
602. Salix sungkianica Y.L.Chou & Skvortsov
603. Salix × superata F.B.White
604. Salix tagawana Koidz.
605. Salix taipaiensis Chang Y.Yang
606. Salix taishanensis C.Wang & C.F.Fang
607. Salix taiwanalpina Kimura
608. Salix × tamagawaensis Yoshiyama & Yamaguchi
609. Salix × tambaensis Koidz. & Araki
610. Salix tangii K.S.Hao ex C.F.Fang & A.K.Skvortsov
611. Salix × taoensis Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
612. Salix taraikensis Kimura
613. Salix tarbagataica Chang Y.Yang
614. Salix tarraconensis Pau
615. Salix taxifolia Kunth
616. Salix × taylorii Rech.f.
617. Salix tenella C.K.Schneid.
618. Salix tengchongensis C.F.Fang
619. Salix tenuijulis Ledeb.
620. Salix × tetrapla Walker
621. Salix tetrasperma Roxb.
622. Salix × thaymasta Kimura
623. Salix thomsoniana Andersson
624. Salix thorelii Dode
625. Salix thurberi Rowlee
626. Salix tianschanica Regel
627. Salix tibetica Goerz ex Rehder & Kobuski
628. Salix × tomentella A.Camus & E.G.Camus
629. Salix tonkinensis Seemen
630. Salix trabzonica A.K.Skvortsov
631. Salix tracyi C.R.Ball
632. Salix triandra L.
633. Salix triandroides W.P.Fang
634. Salix trichocarpa C.F.Fang
635. Salix tschujensis (Bolsch.) Baikov
636. Salix tschuktschorum A.K.Skvortsov
637. Salix turanica Nasarow
638. Salix turczaninowii Laksch.
639. Salix × turfosa A.Camus & E.G.Camus
640. Salix turnorii Raup
641. Salix × turumatii Kimura
642. Salix tweedyi (Bebb) C.R.Ball
643. Salix tyrrellii Raup
644. Salix tyrrhenica Brullo, F.Scelsi & Spamp.
645. Salix udensis Trautv. & C.A.Mey.
646. Salix × ungavensis Lepage
647. Salix uralicola I.V.Belyaeva
648. Salix ustnerensis (Bolsch.) Baikov ex A.V.Grebenjuk & Czepinoga
649. Salix uva-ursi Pursh
650. Salix variegata Franch.
651. Salix × velchevii Ziel. & Pancheva
652. Salix × velenovskyi Servít
653. Salix vestita Pursh
654. Salix viminalis L.
655. Salix vinogradovii A.K.Skvortsov
656. Salix × viridifolia T.E.Díaz & Penas
657. Salix viridiformis Maassoumi
658. Salix vulpina Andersson
659. Salix vyshinii (Nedol.) Petruk
660. Salix × waghornei Rydb.
661. Salix waldsteiniana Willd.
662. Salix × wardiana Leefe ex F.B.White
663. Salix weixiensis Y.L.Chou
664. Salix × wiegandii Fernald
665. Salix wilhelmsiana M.Bieb.
666. Salix × wimmeri A.Kern.
667. Salix × wolfiana Rouy
668. Salix wolfii Bebb
669. Salix wolohoensis C.K.Schneid.
670. Salix × woloszczakii Zalewski
671. Salix woroschilovii Barkalov
672. Salix × wrightii Andersson
673. Salix wuxuhaiensis N.Chao
674. Salix × wyomingensis Rydb.
675. Salix xanthicola K.I.Chr.
676. Salix xiaoguangshanica Y.L.Chou & N.Chao
677. Salix xizangensis Y.L.Chou
678. Salix yanbianica C.F.Fang & Chang Y.Yang
679. Salix yuhuangshanensis C.Wang & C.Y.Yu
680. Salix yumenensis H.L.Yang
681. Salix zangica N.Chao
682. Salix zayunica Z.Wang & C.F.Fang
683. Salix × zhataica Efimova, Shurduk & Ahti
684. Salix zhegushanica N.Chao

Ecological Importance: More Than Just Pretty Trees

Willows are not just aesthetically pleasing; they play a vital role in their ecosystems. Their flowers are a valuable source of nectar and pollen for early-season pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Their leaves and branches provide food and shelter for a wide range of animals, from deer and rabbits to birds and insects.

Furthermore, willows have a remarkable ability to absorb pollutants and heavy metals from the soil, making them useful for phytoremediation. They also help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality, thanks to their extensive root systems.

Willows in Human History: From Baskets to Aspirin

Humans have utilized willows for centuries. Their flexible branches are ideal for basket weaving, while their wood has been used for everything from furniture to cricket bats. Willow bark contains salicylic acid, a natural pain reliever that was the precursor to aspirin. In traditional medicine, willow bark has been used to treat fever, headaches, and inflammation.

A Personal Connection: Why I Love Willows

My fascination with willows goes beyond their botanical characteristics. There’s something about their graceful forms and their resilience that resonates with me. I find solace in the rustling of their leaves and the dappled shade they provide. They are a reminder of the beauty and strength of the natural world.

Whether I’m admiring a weeping willow’s cascading branches or examining the intricate details of a willow catkin, I’m always filled with a sense of wonder. The Salix genus is a testament to the diversity and adaptability of life on Earth, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from and appreciate these remarkable trees.