Salix fragilis (Crack willow,
Brittle willow)
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids >
Eurosid I > Order: Malpighiales
> Family:
Salicaceae > Genus: Salix
Identification
A tree, growing to 15 m tall with a broad
rounded crown. The bark is grey and the trunk of older trees is
deeply furrowed.
Distribution and habitat
Native to Eurasia. A
declared Category 2 invasive
plants in South Africa. Forms pure stands along rivers at high
elevations in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. There
is also one record from the Cape Peninsula.
Links
References
- Jordaan, M. 2005. FSA contributions 18: Salicaceae s.
str. Bothalia 35(1): 7-20.
Text by Hamish Robertson |
