Monday, April 2, 2012

Corkscrew willow

I'm guessing that this tree is Salix matsudana Tortuosa, also known as corkscrew willow, curly willow, dragon's claw, globe willow, Hankow willow, Pekin willow.

The branches are curly.






In the lower part of this picture, you can see two twigs that go straight up.


The bark is kind of orange/tan with angled lines on the trunk and lower, larger branches.




The smaller branches have smooth, greenish bark.


The leaves reminds me of blades of grass.  I think leaves of this shape are called lance-shaped or lanceolate.  To me, the leaves look compound, because they grow from what looks like a green stem, rather than a woody twig.  However, apparently corkscrew willows have simple leaves.



The flowers are catkins.