Salix magnifica

Taxobox
name = "Salix magnifica"


status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Salicaceae
genus = "Salix"
species = "S. magnifica"
binomial = "Salix magnifica"
binomial_authority = Hemsl.

"Salix magnifica" is a species of willow in the family Salicaceae. It is endemic to Sichuan in southwestern China, where it grows at high altitudes of 2,100–3,000 m. It is threatened by habitat loss.Flora of China: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200005905 "Salix magnifica"] ] [World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/32452/all "Salix magnifica"] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species] . Downloaded on 23 August 2007.]

It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m tall. The leaves are alternate, 10–25 cm long and 7–12 cm broad, with an entire margin; they are green above, and glaucous below, with red veins and petiole. The flowers are produced in catkins in late spring after the new leaves appear; it is dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate plants. The male catkins are 10 cm long; the female catkins are 10 cm long at pollination, expanding to 25 cm long at seed maturity.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening". Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.]

There are three varieties:
*"Salix magnifica" var. "magnifica"
*"Salix magnifica" var. "apatela" (C.K.Schneider) K.S.Hao
*"Salix magnifica" var. "ulotricha" (C.K.Schneider) N.Chao

It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in western Europe for its bold foliage, with the largest leaves of any willow.

References