Salix caspica is a plant from the willow genus (Salix) within the willow family (Salicaceae). The natural range extends from eastern European Russia to far western China.
| Salix caspica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Salicaceae |
| Genus: | Salix |
| Species: | S. caspica |
| Binomial name | |
| Salix caspica | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Taxonomy
Salix caspica is a species from the section Helix in the genus of willows (Salix) within the willow family (Salicaceae).[3][4] It was first published in 1788 by Peter Simon Pallas.[1][5] The specific epithet 'caspica' refers to the distribution area along the Caspian Sea.[6]
The holotype was collected in the Ryn Desert and is housed in the Komarov Botanical Institute in St. Petersburg.[7]
It forms the natural hybrid S. × turgaiskensis E.L.Wolf with S. rosmarinifolia in Kazakhstan.[1][8] It also hybridises with S. siberica, S. tenuijulis and S. viminalis sensu lato.[7]
Infraspecific variation
- Salix caspica f. longifolia was described by Nils Johan Andersson in the Prodromus, it has leaves up to 12 cm in length and 0.4 to 0.6 cm broad.[7]
- Salix caspica f. pruinosa is another form described by Andersson. It is very rare. It has dark purple branches covered in a thick pruinose (waxy) bloom.[7]
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Salix caspica is a large shrub with a height of up to 5 meters. The bark is gray. The bark of the relatively thin branches is yellowish and shiny. The buds are about 5 millimeters long and pointed.[5]
The alternate leaves arranged on the branches are divided into a petiole and a leaf blade. The petiole is 3 to 5 millimeters long and glabrous. With a length of 5 to 8 centimeters and a width of 4 to 5 centimeters, the simple leaf blade is linear-lanceolate or linear with a wedge-shaped base, long, pointed and entire. Both sides of the leaf are the same color, initially slightly tomentose and later glabrous. The caducous stipules are linear.[5]
The number of chromosomes is 2n=38.[9]
Generative characteristics
The inflorescences are long, cylindrical, almost subsessile, terete, densely flowered catkins with deciduous, scale-like leaflets at the base. The inflorescence rachis is tomentose-hairy. The bracts are brownish, pilose-hairy with a blunt tip. Male flowers have two stamens, with their filaments fused to each other and downy-haired at the base, and with yellow anthers. Female flowers have a ovoid-conical, densely tomentose, subsessile ovary. The style is very short, the stigma is capitulate. The fruit is a brownish, pubescent capsule.[5]
Distribution
The natural range extends from the eastern European Russia in the northern Caucausus, Southern Federal District, Volga Federal District and the Ural Federal District,[2] eastwards to Kazakhstan,[2][5] Turkmenistan,[2] and Iran, extending to Dauria, Mongolia[7] and the western part of the Chinese province of Xinjiang.[5]
Ecology
It grows in open forests along rivers in China,[5] elsewhere it grows along rivers in deserts and steppes in loose sandy soil or sand dunes with a high water table, and in mountain valleys up to 2,000 metres in altitude. It is also typically found in blow outs. It requires much light to grow.[7]
Salix caspica blooms before the leaves appear, in Xinjiang from April to May. The fruits ripen in Xinjiang in June.[5] In Russia it also flowers in May and fruits in June.[7]
Uses
Salix caspica is planted to stabilize slopes and sandy soils. Baskets and other wicker articles are woven from the branches.[5] It is considered an excellent species for this purpose, growing straight, thin, pliable stems to 2m or longer in a season. It was also grown as an ornamental plant in the Soviet Union.[7]