BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)

Meikle, R.D., 1984

Willows and Poplars of Great Britain and Ireland

Introductory chapters cover classification, terminology and collection. The latter is important as the precise identification requires two visits to the same tree: in the spring for catkins and again in the summer (July to late September) for mature leaves.

The identification section starts with indented keys to Salix and Populus using mainly leaf characters.

The major portion of the book consists of detailed species accounts facing line-drawings of a leaf spray, leaf base, stipules, male and female flowers, catkins etc.

Publisher Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI)
Volume No 4
Pages 198
ISBN 0 901158 07 0
Coverage All the British species and all but the rarest hybrids known at the time, with the more frequent introduced species.
Illustrations Line drawings facing the species descriptions, plus a few more interspersed in text and keys.
Identify With x8 or x10 hand lens.
Specimen Prep. Precise identification requires two visits to the same tree: in the spring for catkins and again in the summer (July to late September) for mature leaves.
Difficulty Given both catkins and leaves, identification is usually fairly straightforward, although hybrids are not rare and often challenging. Don't expect to be able to name every willow you find!.

Malcolm Storey

Taxonomic Scope

SALICACEAE (poplars and willows) Identification Current

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