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.[2][1]

Salix magnifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Species:
S. magnifica
Binomial name
Salix magnifica

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.[2][3]

The three varieties are:[2]

  • 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
  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Salix magnifica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007.
  2. Flora of China: Salix magnifica
  3. Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
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