Salix magnifica
| Salix magnifica | |
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| Species: | S. magnifica
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| Binomial name | |
| Salix magnifica | |
Salix magnifica is a species of willow in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Sichuan in southwestern China, where it grows at high altitudes of 2,100–3,000 m above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1][2]
It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall. The leaves are alternate, 10–25 cm long and 7–12 cm broad, with an entire margin; they are green above, and glaucous below, with red veins and petiole. The flowers are produced in catkins in late spring after the new leaves appear; it is dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate plants. The male catkins are 10 cm long; the female catkins are 10 cm long at pollination, expanding to 25 cm long at seed maturity.[1][3]
- S. m. var. magnifica
- S. m. var. apatela (C.K.Schneider) K.S.Hao
- S. m. var. ulotricha (C.K.Schneider) N.Chao
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in western Europe for its bold foliage, with the largest leaves of any willow.[3]
References
- ^ a b c Flora of China: Salix magnifica
- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Salix magnifica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007.
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.