Family Salicaceae - Willow, Cottonwood, Aspen
There are only two genera in this family, Salix (willows), and Populus (poplars)
Trees in this family have a strong affinity for water and harbor nymphs and other arboreal deities
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There are only two genera in this family, Salix (willows), with about 300 species, and Populus (poplars), with barely 40 species. Salicaceae are found throughout the temperate parts of the world, with the majority of species occurring in the north; both willows and poplars have a strong affinity for water, and are commonly found near ponds and along watercourses.

Willow bark was steeped as tea by native Americans, and the young twigs and bark chewed to relieve headaches. It was later found the active ingredient was salicylic acid, the basis of today’s aspirin. The chemical name for aspirin comes from the willow family name.

All reproductive events (pollination, fertilization, and seed dispersal) are wind-mediated within almost all species this family.  Cottonwoods, especially, are noted for their profusion of white tufted seeds, which can be produced in such numbers they accumulate in "snowdrifts."

Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is capable of producing new clone plants from rhizomes; a stand of thousands of Aspen "trees" can represent one individual. It is thought these are the largest (and perhaps oldest) organisms living today.

Black Willow
Black Willow
Salix nigra
Eastern Cottonwood Tree
Eastern Cottonwood Tree
Populus deltoides
Image: White Poplar
White Poplar Tree
Populus alba
Golden Weeping Willow - Salix alba 'Tristis'
Golden Weeping Willow
Salix alba
'Tristis'
Populus heterophylla
Populus heterophylla
Swamp Cottonwood

Crack Willow
Salix fragilis
Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera
Balsam Poplar
Balsam Poplar - Populus balsamifera03/10/2013
Black Willow - Salix nigra03/10/2013
Crack Willow - Salix fragilis01/13/2013
Eastern Cottonwood - Populus deltoides01/07/2013
Flowering Plants Index05/16/2013
Golden Weeping Willow - Salix alba 'Tristis'01/13/2013
Swamp Cottonwood - Populus heterophylla03/10/2013
Tree Encyclopedia03/11/2013
Tree Encyclopedia Index03/21/2013
White Poplar - Populus alba01/09/2013
White Willow - Salix alba01/13/2013
Yellow Cheerfulness Narcissus01/13/2013
References:
1. USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program,"EASTERN COTTONWOOD"
2. NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees
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