W fm 2655
S A L I X nitens.
Shining-leaved Willow.
DICECIA Diandria.
Gen. Char. Male, Cal. a scale of an imbricated
catkin, single-flowered. Cor. none. Nect. a
gland or glands at the base of the stamens.
Stam. 1—5 (or more). Female, Cal. and Nect.
as in the male. Cor. none. Caps, of 1 cell and
2 valves. Seeds tufted.
Spec. Char. Leaves ovate or elliptical, acute, slightly
serrated; nearly naked, with sunk veins above ;
naked and glaucous beneath. Stipules small.
Catkins on short stalks. Bractese small. Calyx-
scales oblong, hairy, longer than the hairy stalk
of the germen. Style longer than the stigmas.
Syn. Salix nitens. Sm. Engl. FI. v. 4. 175. Hook.
Brit. FI. 429. Salict. Woburn. 87. t. 44.
T h e plant from which our male specimens were taken
was communicated by the late Mr. G. Anderson, who first
distinguished the species : the female came from Teesdale.
An upright shrub, of rather taller and stouter growth
than S. Borreriana, which it resembles in the dark mahogany
hue of its shining twigs, most remarkable in the
male plant. Young shoots slightly pubescent. Leaves
about 1| inch long, on a short reddish stalk, rounded at the
base, sharp-pointed, often waved or twisted; their margin
slightly cartilaginous, frequently undulate, serrated or rather
crenate, either throughout or with the exception of a
small space towards the base, with gland-pointed incurved
teeth; upper surface dark green, shining, inconspicuously
silky when young, afterwards quite naked except on the
mid-rib; underside glaucous or even white; nerves and