Willow

Salix spp.

• Height: Depending on the species, ranging from shrub-like to a large tree
• Trunk: fast-growing, often hollow inside
• Leaves: alternate, elliptical to lanceolate, pointed
• Flowers: catkin-shaped, usually dioecious (either female or male flowers on a single tree)
• Fruits/Seeds: Seeds often fly in small clouds with white fuzz
• Other: 300 to 400 species worldwide; about 30 to 40 different willow species in Germany; branches are usually very flexible

^{Photos: Wolfgang Schödel (1,2,), BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (3,4), Marcus Bosch (5)}