| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Rosids I
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae + Flacourtiaceae
Family Common Name: Willow Family
Genera: Salix |
Defining Features: Adapted
for wind pollination (anemophily).
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Inflorescences are determinate or indeterminate of spicate or
racemose catkins for both staminate and pistillate flowers. Flowers unisexual
(plant dioecious). Flowers often have three-carpellate gynoecium. Ovaries
are superior to half-inferior with parietal placentaion. Fruit and Seed
Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit is often a loculicidal capsule with comose
seeds. Fruits also berry or drupe. Vegetative Features: Habit as shrubs
and trees. Leaves alternate, simple, serrate and stipulate.
Distribution: Widely distributed
in moist northern temperate regions. Some species are extending to the
tropics and south temperate regions in South America and Africa. Not in
New Zealand and Australia.
Economic Use: As cultivated
garden ornamentals and source of salicylic acid (to reduce fever and swelling)
and pulpwood. Some species, such as Dovyalis and Flacourtia
are cultivated for their edible fruits.
Number of Genera Globally:
58
Number of Species Globally: 1,210
