Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Salicaceae
(Willow Family)


The Salicaceae are represented by two genera, Salix (Willows) and Populus (Aspens, Cottonwoods, and Poplars.) These are trees or shrubs that produce catkins, elongate dense racemes of unisexual flowers. There are no petals. The generic name for Aspirin is (acetyl salicylic acid) is derived from the word "Salix." Many ancient societies around the world independently found that willow extracts could be used as painkillers.

Populus x acuminata (Lance Leaf Cottonwood)
Populus angustifolia (Narrow Leaved Cottonwood)
Populus deltoides (Fremont Cottonwood)
Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen)
Salix bonplandiana (Polished Willow)
Salix exigua subsp. exigua (Coyote Willow)
Salix gooddingii (Goodding's Willow)
Salix irrorata (Bluestem Willow)
Salix lucida subsp. lasiandra (Pacific Willow)
Salix scouleriana (Scouler Willow)
Salix taxifolia (New Mexico Willow)


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