"Weeping Willow"
...also called "Chinese Willow"
Salix babylonica
Willow family (Salicaceae)
- Deciduous
- Simple leaves that are narrow-lanceolate
- Leaves alternately arranged on stems
- Branches are long and flexible which gives tree a "weeping" droopy
look
- Branches almost hang to the ground
- Catkins (flowers) produced in spring
- Native to China, but Linneaus believed native to Babylon (thus
"babylonica")
- Prefers damp areas (which explains location of our best specimen along
Bellarmine Creek in the golfcourse
- Grows rapidly but makes weak branches that readily fall off
- Susceptible to insect and disease pests
Babylon Weeping
Willow (with pronunciation)
Monet's WEEPING WILLOW
and...... The
Actual Tree in Monet's Garden
The
flower
Willow-in
Vermont (closeup of branches)
Willow-
in Vermont (closeup of leaves)
Salix
www.msue.msu.edu
A poem by Richard Paul
Schmonsees
