Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - August 1996 - No 2
George Hutchinson

Most people recognise a willow when they see one but putting a name to it is more difficult. Some species are quite variable and hybrids occur making the task of identification even harder.

Introduction

Etymology

'Salix' is derived from the Greek 'helix' (coil) referring to the pliant branches; similarly 'Willow' from the Anglo-Saxon 'welig' or 'wican' (to give way or bend) (Macleod, 1952). According to Newsholme (1992) there is the Celtic word 'sallis' from 'sal' (near) and 'lis' (water). More former words for 'willow' can be found in The Oxford English Dictionary (Simpson & Weiner, 1989). The Welsh for 'willow(s)', sing. 'helygen', pl. 'helyg', occurs in the names of a few locations in the county, as can be seen by a glance at the Ordnance Survey maps - Ffoshelyg, Llwynhelyg, Pen yr Helyg.

Uses

The economic value relies on the ability of many willows to coppice well, resulting in wood which is light, flexible and resilient.

Basketry has made use of the pliable branches of willow resulting in an industry which led to many clones being produced for commercial use several of which are still in production today. Coracle-making was one of the earliest forms of basketry.  The three most important osiers grown for the trade are Salix triandra, S. purpurea and S. viminalis and their clones, with S. triandra ‘Black Mawl’ the most popular. Many of the osier beds on the east coast of England were destroyed in the 1953 floods so that the main area in Great Britain is now the Somerset Levels. Davies and Miller (1994) record osier cultivation in the Gwendraeth Fawr valley.

Fence posts can be made of willow but an unusual twist occurs when some parts start sprouting again and revert to a shrub. This occurs because many willows sprout readily from cuttings, with the well known exception of Salix caprea. In nature species spread vegetatively in this way, for example, Salix fragilis twigs snap easily at their base in strong wind and can fall into the river thus getting swept downstream to colonise the riverbanks and eyots.

Cricket bats are made from Salix alba var. caerulea (Cricket-bat Willow). The industry is under threat from the bacterium Erwinia salicis which causes Watermark Disease, so called because when the wood is cut the affected part reveals regions which appear wet, sometimes exuding a cloudy liquid which darkens on exposure to air leaving a reddish-brown stain.

The use of willow as a fuel is on the increase apparently alleviating global warming as the amount of carbon dioxide produced during burning is less than that absorbed by the plant during its growth. In Sweden willow has largely replaced oil as a fuel for domestic use and industry.

Horticultural and amenity plantings of willow are becoming increasingly popular.  This has been particularly noticeable in the Llanelli area over the last few years with, for example, attractive plantings from Trostre along the new roads leading to the Dafen river-crossing and also at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Penclacwydd. Some of the earliest of the recent plantings occur on the banks of the Gwendraeth Fach west of Cydweli. At Carmarthen the new Stephens Way in Pensarn has introduced willows opposite the Royal Mail delivery-office and there are some at the old Cwmoernant Reservoirs at Tanerdy, now a public amenity area where large willows have been planted on the banks - but more of these later. 

In medicine, the antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties of willow bark (e.g. Salix alba) were known to the ancients and are due to the bitter glucoside, salicin, the basis of the Aspirin-related pharmaceuticals. Salix purpurea is a commercial source of salicin which is also used in the treatment of rheumatism.

World distribution

Salix is a large genus of over 300 woody species and many hybrids. The majority of species occur in the temperate and sub-arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. Elsewhere willows can be found in almost every part of the world except the Malay peninsula. In Australia and New Zealand only imported species occur. The different species range from semi-prostrate shrubs to 30-metre trees.

Taxonomy

Classification

The genus Salix is divided by botanists into three main subgenera, all of which are represented in Carmarthenshire.

Subgenus Salix (True Willows). Leaves mostly lanceolate to narrow elliptic, finely and closely serrate. Catkins long and slender (see fig. 1), emerging relatively late, peaking from mid-April to May in Carmarthenshire, tending to be earliest in the lowland areas and latest in the more upland areas. The membranous scale (bract) of each flower on the catkin is yellowish-green (not black-tipped) and quickly shed (except in S. triandra). Most species can grow into tall trees.  S. pentandra,  triandra,  fragilis,  x rubens and  x sepulcralis belong here.

Subgenus Vetrix (Osiers and Sallows). Leaves orbicular to linear, entire to coarsely and somewhat irregularly toothed or crenate (blunt, round-toothed) margins.  Catkins short and wide (see fig.1), most emerging relatively early, peaking in March but there are exceptions with S. aurita and S. repens of the wet heathlands flowering in April and May. Membranous scale (bract) of each flower two-coloured, the lower half yellowish-green and the upper half or tips dark brown or black, and persistent.  Most species are shrubs or small trees apart from prostrate forms of S. repens. S. cinerea,  caprea,  aurita,  viminalis and  purpurea belong here.

Subgenus Chamaetia. Dwarf arctic or mountain shrubs. Leaves ovate to rounded, entire to coarsely serrate. Catkins short and wide emerging late and peaking in June and July. Membranous scale (bract) of each flower wholly pale or dark. The only representative in the British Isles south of Scotland is S. herbacea with yellowish or red-tinged bracts.

Hybridization

This occurs particularly where the parents grow together and have a similar flowering time. In considering hybrids it is important first of all to appreciate the plasticity (variability) of the species concerned. Hybrids have also been made artificially by horticulturalists. In the 1950's N. H. Nilsson, in Sweden, managed to cross hybrids several times to produce one said to have thirteen species in its parentage.

Willow hybrids outnumber those of any other genus in the British flora. With the exception of two hybrids with S. triandra, hybrids between the two main subgenera of Salix described above have not been recorded. Many willow hybrids are fertile and can backcross. Two of our commonest hybrids in Carmarthenshire, S. aurita x S. cinerea, and S. caprea x S. cinerea, can both obliterate local distinctions between the parents, which are elsewhere easy to identify in the county although this is exceptional and certainly not as common as is claimed in English counties. The majority of hybrids are uncommon or else represented by uniform, often one-sex clones, deliberately introduced or descended from planted specimens, and with some practice can be identified almost as easily as the parents. For example, many S. x sericans (S. caprea x S. viminalis) plants can be easily identified.

Pollination in Salix is performed by insects and to a lesser extent by wind. There is some pollination by small birds such as the Blue Tit. Poplars (Populus spp.) and birches (Betula spp.), on the other hand, are mainly wind-pollinated.

Identification

Being deciduous, willows show their outlines best in winter when some stand out with their bright orange branches from the surrounding trees and shrubs. Salix alba var. vitellina and the planted S. x rubens nothovar. basfordiana are good examples.  Salix fragilis also shows this colour to some extend during the winter but it seems to fade as the leaves emerge making a plant, obvious in winter, far more difficult to relocate by late spring.

Spring reveals the catkins. All species of willows are dioecious, that is, male and female catkins occur on separate plants (see fig. 1). In some of the varieties and hybrids in the county, and indeed the British Isles, only one sex is known. With hybrids matters are more complicated, again often just one sex can be found but in the commonly planted hybrid 'Weeping Willow', male, female and androgynous catkins can be found, that is, where male and female flowers are found on the same catkin. Have a look at your local plants in April.

'Pussy willow' does not refer to a single species but refers to the sallows - Salix cinerea, S. caprea and their hybrid, reflecting the white silvery hairs on the female catkins, but male shrubs also show this effect if caught early enough before the catkins turn yellow, becoming dense with anthers and pollen. The Osier (Salix viminalis) shows its catkins early with long symmetrical lines of them stretching sometimes for over 0.45m, along the straight shoots.

Late spring sees the development of the leaves. Some species have pubescent (hairy) leaves at this time of year but gradually loose them and become glabrous as the year progresses. Even late in the year the smaller leaves near the end of the shoots may still retain some of these hairs particularly on the underside of the leaf.  The same applies to the shoots and twigs, which also have to be checked for hairs to determine if this year's (shoots) or last year's (twigs) growth is being examined.

By July most leaves are fully developed and it is only then that the true leaf shape can be ascertained. One should examine leaves that look well developed, not the smaller apical leaves at the tips of the shoots. Hairiness on the upper and lower surface of the leaf should be checked, the serration of the margins, and whether the surface is rugose (wrinkled) - a feature of S. aurita which is mostly lost in pressed,  dried specimens. Note the stipules (tiny leaf-like appendages at the base of the petiole (leaf-stalk) adjoining the shoot) and whether they are persistent (not falling off early).

By late summer small orange to red hairs have increased on the undersurface of the leaves of Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia (Rusty Sallow) and sometimes they can be found in suspected hybrids of this taxon. Salix fragilis has a more glaucous underside to the leaves at this time so from a distance can trick one into believing it is Salix alba as the leaves are turned in a gentle breeze.

Carmarthenshire's Willows

Latin and English names follow those of Stace (1991). Welsh Names follow those of Davies & Jones (1995). Not all willows have English or Welsh names, especially hybrids and cultivars. Specimens or voucher specimens from the sites mentioned have been deposited at NMW. For grid references see Appendix 2.

Subgenus Salix (True Willows):

Salix pentandra (Bay Willow) (Helygen Beraroglaidd). 'Shoots and twigs very glossy as if varnished' is the best character. Leaves thick, glabrous, glossy dark green.  Catkins with upper part of peduncle (stalk) densely pubescent. Male flowers with 5-8 stamens. A local willow in the county, being commonest around the Cross Hands area, such as at Capel Quarry and near Llyn Llech Owain. Also in the “Bee Orchid Ride” on Tywyn Burrows.

Salix fragilis (Crack-willow). Twigs snap easily at their point of attachment but elsewhere are quite pliable. Leaves are glossy green above when mature. British and European salicologists disagree over the origin of S. fragilis, the latter considering it to be of hybrid origin.  In Britain it is represented by four varieties, two of which have been recorded from Carmarthenshire. Some plants appear to be intermediate and cannot be assigned to any of the varieties, so they have to be recorded as just S. fragilis. The species is common and widespread in the county particularly along river banks. Var. fragilis, 

which can be a male or female tree, has not been recorded from the county but may occur. It has conspicuously regularly serrate leaves.

Var. russelliana (Bedford Willow) (Helygen y Dug). Named after the 6th Duke of Bedford who first drew attention to the economic importance of the tree. Only female trees are known and hence it has spread vegetatively and has been obviously planted in places. Leaves lanceolate with long-acuminate (gradually tapering to a point) tip. Leaf margins coarsely serrate (irregular forward-directing teeth). This is the commonest variety over most of the British Isles as is the case for Carms.  Often found along river-banks with confirmed records around Cydweli Flats, the Penclacwydd area SE of Llanelli, SSW of Ddol-fawr Llwynhendy and along an old mineral line, Pembrey.

Var. furcata. A male tree with leaves noticeably broader than var. russelliana and with more abruptly pointed tips but the teeth are still coarsely serrate. Less frequent than var. russelliana with confirmed records from the Gwendraeth estuary west of Cydweli at the NE corner of the Cydweli treatment works; in the Llanelli area north of Morfa'r Ynys Farm, Morfa and SW of Dafen Pond.

Salix alba is represented by three varieties in Carms. Most trees, if not all, have been planted. All are quite hairy on both surfaces of the minutely but regularly serrate leaves, especially earlier in the season. It is represented in the county by three varieties but in most cases var. alba and var. caerulea have not been differentiated. There are several widespread records of the species, particularly from the coastal belt.

Var. alba (White Willow) (Helygen Wen). Leaves persistently sericeous (silky upper surface), and generally shorter and narrower than in var. caerulea. It has been confirmed from two sites, for example on the bank of the R. Loughor below Cae-delyn, Llanedi.

Var. caerulea (Cricket-bat Willow) (Helygen Las). Leaves generally longer and broader than in var. alba and glabrescent (becoming glabrous) on their upper surface. It has been confirmed from two sites, for example east of Bevan's Pond on Cydweli Flats.

Var. vitellina (Golden Willow) (Helygen Aur). Orange twigs and branches, conspicuous especially during the winter months. It has been found at three coastal sites, for example alongside a road at Laugharne Burrows, and ENE of Dyffryn Farm, Bynea.

Salix alba x S. fragilis (= S. x rubens) (Hybrid Crack-willow)  (See also under Planted Salix, below).

Trees can be represented by a whole range of variants often difficult to tell from the parents. Leaves below often glaucous and remaining thinly hairy; above, sericeous (silky) but soon becoming glabrous but not shiny-green. Margins of leaves minutely but sometimes rather irregularly serrate. Leaves are also lanceolate and long-acuminate (tips tapering gradually to a point). There are two confirmed records, one in an open ride on fixed dunes in Pembrey Forest and the other from the bank of the River Loughor below Ty-canol, Llanedi.

S. triandra (Almond Willow) (Helygen Drigwryw). Leaves regularly serrate with male trees having 3 stamens per flower in the catkins. Bark on old trees flakes off like the London Plane (also sometimes a feature in hybrids involving S. triandra).  A local willow in the county being commonest in the lower Gwendraeth Fawr valley around to Pembrey, such as at Pont-newydd, WNW of Carway, and near Moat Farm, Llandyry.

Var. hoffmanniana is normally a male plant with uniformly smaller leaves than the species and has been found at two sites in the lower Gwendraeth Fawr valley SE of Cydweli - on the bank of the Gwendraeth Fawr near Pont Spwdwr, and near the Coed Bach coal washery.

Subgenus Vetrix (Osiers and Sallows):

S. purpurea (Purple Willow) (Helygen Gochlas). A key character is the often opposite to subopposite leaves which become almost black on drying. The margins are subentire or shortly serrate in the upper half. Uncommon in Carmarthenshire, mostly along river banks such as the Teifi between Llanybydder and Cwmann in the north of the county, and the lower Gwendraeth Fawr, the Gwendraeth Fach downstream of Pont Ceidrych, and a few sites in Pembrey Forest in the south.

S. daphnoides (European Violet-willow) (Helygen Borffor). A tall shrub or slender tree. The young twigs are pruinose, i.e. covered with a dense white bloom that is gradually lost as the season progresses but usually persists below the buds. It has large showy male catkins and coriaceous (leathery) shiny leaves. Two plantings occur towards the south-eastern end of Pembrey Forest and a few trees occur near the ski slope in Pembrey Country Park.

S. viminalis (Osier) (Helygen Wiail). A tall shrub or small tree with long narrow leaves with inrolled margins. The underside of the leaves have a uniform covering of silvery hairs like S. repens. Young leaves and leaves on some forms of the species can be very narrow recalling the planted S. elaeagnos. A common willow in the county where it has often been planted around ponds and along rivers.

S. caprea (Goat Willow) (Helygen Grynddail Fwyaf). The biggest of the British sallows with broadly elliptic leaves similar to those of apple trees. The underside of the leaves look whitish with tomentose or pubescent hairs, soft to the touch, and with prominent venation. The catkins are generally larger than in S. cinerea and the twigs have no striae (for discussion of striae see under S. cinerea). Common but far less so than S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia and although there is a wide overlap in the preferred habitats, S. caprea can also be found on drier soils which are slightly basic and is therefore a common coloniser of disused railway lines often where there is good drainage on railway embankments.

S. caprea x S. cinerea (= S. x reichardtii). This too can be close to either parent but the leaves have a narrower outline than S. caprea but retain the soft hairy underside. These features are typical of this widespread hybrid in the county. Faint striae can sometimes be seen when the bark on the twigs is peeled back. Sites include the pathway on the ridge east of Garnbig and the industrial area of the North Dock, Llanelli.

S. caprea x S. viminalis (= S. x sericans) (Broad-leaved Osier). The long leaves are usually broader than in the similar S. cinerea x S. viminalis and tend to have whitish hairy undersides with prominent venation reflecting the S. caprea parentage.  Striae are absent.  Several widespread records in the county, such as Cydweli railway station, where it occurs with S. x smithiana.

S. cinerea.  Salicologists differ as to whether the two taxa found in the British Isles should be treated as subspecies - subsp. cinerea and subsp. oleifolia, or as separate species - S. cinerea and S. atrocinerea respectively, the latter names favoured by European botanists. Subspecies are currently used in the British Isles.  Both subspecies have striate twigs.  Striae are narrow elongate ridges on the wood seen by peeling back the bark on mostly second year and older twigs. They are found in Salix cinerea, S. aurita and to a lesser extent in hybrids involving these species.  Being sometimes difficult to find, their presence is therefore a more reliable character than the conclusion that they are absent.

Subsp. oleifolia (Rusty Sallow) (Helygen Olewydd-ddail) is by far the commonest willow in the county. The twigs exhibit only faint striation. The leaves can be quite variable in shape but usually oblanceolate or oblong, entire or slightly undulate-serrate. The rusty (faint orange) hairs on the underside of the leaves become more noticeable as the season progresses and the underside of the leaves often become both glaucous (bluish-grey) and rough to the touch.

Subsp. cinerea (Grey Sallow) (Helygen Lwyd) has not been found in Carmarthenshire. It is found mostly in eastern Britain and was first found in Wales by Mike Porter (vice-county recorder for Brecs.) growing in Breconshire at the margin of an upland fen about 2km SSE of Tirabad, but only about one kilometre from the north-eastern boundary of Carmarthenshire, near the Crychan Forest.

I was fortunate enough to see this subspecies in 1993 at the Askham Bog Nature Reserve, near. York. Unlike our subsp. oleifolia the leaves were hairy on the upper surface and quite felted underneath with no rusty hairs, despite it being September, and the twigs were strongly striate. (See under S. caprea for discussion about striae).

S. cinerea x S. viminalis (= S. x smithiana) (Silky-leaved Osier) (Helygen Sidanddail).  Predominantly a female hybrid. The long narrow leaves are wider and not as silvery on the underside as S. viminalis, being greyish-green and pubescent and sometimes becoming almost glabrous at maturity. Striae can sometimes be seen under the bark when peeled back. The hybrid is sometimes difficult to tell apart from S. caprea x. S. viminalis (qv). It occurs near rivers and streams prone to flooding and on disturbed ground where it is free to colonise. Several records in the county, such as at Cydweli railway station, where it occurs with S. x sericans, west of Techon-fawr, Llwynhendy and north of Morfa, Llanelli.

Salix aurita (Eared Willow) (Helygen Grynglustiog). This is the small willow one can often detect from a distance on very wet heaths which are often devoid of any other shrubs. The leaves are usually smaller and rounder than in S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia but the striking features are the dull rugose (wrinkled) upper surface to the leaves and the underside greyish with hairs, soft to the touch, and with prominent venations. The thin twigs are strongly striate far more so than in S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia, and sometimes have persistent stipules. The twisted apex to some leaves is an additional character but this cannot be used on its own as it occurs sometimes in other sallows and can occur in hybrids with S. aurita. The species is normally associated with wet heathland and can sometimes occur in such habitats with S. cinerea.

Salix aurita x S. cinerea (= S. x multinervis). This common hybrid can be close to either parent and difficult to separate. The leaves are usually larger than in S. aurita, with a less rugose surface. The often persistent stipules and dull leaves which usually remain softly but thinly pubescent below separates it from S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia. Widespread in the county, including west of Tirlan Farm, Llannon, and east of Cencoed-uchaf.

Salix repens (Creeping Willow) (Corhelygen). This low-growing small-leaved species is represented by two varieties in the county but in the past most recorders have not differentiated them. The species is commonest in the southern half of Carmarthenshire with several scattered records elsewhere.

Var. repens is rhizomatous with hairy leaves becoming subglabrous as the summer progresses. It is found mostly at inland wet heathy sites such as near Glan Morlais Farm, Trimsaran .

Var. argentea has ascending and more robust branches with slightly larger leaves with characteristic appressed-silky (sericeous), silvery hairs, sometimes on both surfaces but most frequently on the underside. It is a natural plant successor in coastal dune slacks, such as at Pendine, Laugharne and Tywyn Burrows, which it can often cover to the detriment of rare flowering-species. It is also known from inland sites in the county and is now being used for amenity planting along new road schemes, for example around Machynys.

Subgenus Chamaetia:

Salix herbacea (Dwarf Willow) (Helygen Leiaf). A dwarf shrub less than 10 cm in height with small roundish leaves. Close to its southern limit in the British Isles, being confined to the vicinity of the highest point in the county at Bannau Sir Gaer (Carmarthen Fans) above Llyn y Fan Fach, where it grows on the Old Red Sandstone cliffs. It is difficult to locate, but once found, good views can be had by carefully looking down with binoculars from the cliff-top (Danger!).

Salix species and varieties often used by Landscape Architects in amenity plantings.

Salix x sepulcralis nothovar. chrysochoma (= S. alba var. vitellina x S. babylonica) (Weeping Willow). The pronounced branches hanging down with slender golden-yellow or olivaceous-yellow twigs make this well known taxon easy to recognise. The narrow leaves soon become glabrous and have regular minutely-serrate margins. Male catkins dominate. There are three coastal records in the county and, of course, it is often planted in gardens around ponds and streams.

Salix x rubens nothovar. basfordiana (= S. alba var. vitellina x S. fragilis). Under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, because the two parents in this hybrid are of different taxonomic rank (one a variety the other a species) the term 'nothovariety' has to be applied to the hybrid name rather than ‘variety’. Two ornamental forms of this cultivar have been recorded as planted in Carmarthenshire. 

forma basfordiana. Inheriting the orange twigs and branches of the var. vitellina parent. Leaves 9-15 cm long, bright shining green above, glaucous beneath. Catkins with densely pubescent peduncle (stalk). Planted along the north bank of the Gwendraeth Fach west of Cydweli.

forma sanguinea has redder twigs but is usually a lower growing, less vigorous tree with leaves rarely greater than 8cm long. Only female plants are known. Planted along the ditch on the south side of the Machynys Link road.

Salix elaeagnos (Olive Willow). With their silvery undersides, the leaves resemble miniature S. viminalis, in fact they have the narrowest leaves of any willow likely to be encountered in the British Isles. Planted in Llanelli along new roads and as amenity plantings (e.g. Dafen Pond) and in Carmarthen at the Cwmoernant Reservoirs community area. It is a species that is being increasingly planted by local councils.

Salix eriocephala (Heart-leaved Willow). The leaf margins are regularly serrate and there are large stipules up to 1 cm long. A tree which may be this North American species was found west of Glan-rhyd Farm, on the old Pembrey Airfield.

Salix x calodendron (= ? S. caprea x cinerea x viminalis) (Holme Willow). The leaves are large elliptic (9 cm x 3 cm) with a pointed apex, thinly pubescent above and more densely so underneath, where the veins are rather prominent. Striae are present in the twigs and the margins of the leaves are thinly recurved. Thus there is evidence in this hybrid of the three putative parents. It has been planted along the new roads at Machynys, and around Machynys Pond.

Salix x forbyana (= ? S. cinerea x purpurea x viminalis) (Fine Osier). The acutely tipped leaves have a glossy upper side and blacken somewhat on drying. The margins have a blunt leaf serration. Predominantly female; male shrubs are rare. A planted specimen has been found south-east of the pumping station near the Ashburnham golf course, Pembrey.

Salix x dasyclados 'Grandis'. This erect tree cultivar of uncertain ancestry has leaves even larger than those of S. x calodendron (24 cm x 4.5 cm). It has been planted at the amenity area at the south-west corner of the former upper Cwmoernant Reservoir in Carmarthen.

Other Salix Records from Carmarthenshire:

Salix aurita x S. caprea (= S. x capreola). There are four records of this difficult-to-prove hybrid. Only one of these is supported by a specimen - from the Afon Fawr valley (SN332321), 1.8km S. of Maudsland. Its identity has recently been confirmed by R. D. Meikle.

Salix fragilis x S. pentandra (= S. x meyeriana). Based on a 1945 record from Gorslas.  The voucher material at NMW has recently been redetermined by R. D. Meikle as S. pentandra.

Salix planted at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre, Penclacwydd, near Llanelli.

Key to locations of plantings within the centre:  AS = Asian Pen,  BG = Butterfly Garden,  CP = Car Park,  EN = Entrance Area,  EU = European Pen,  IS = Island Pen,  MH = Marsh Hide Approach,  NU = Nursery,  SA = South American Pen,  TU = Tundra.

Most botanical names are those supplied by the nursery, with a few corrections.

Salix adenophila - as cuttings in AS, all may have died.

Salix aegyptiaca - EN, MH, NU.

Salix alba 'Chermesina' - several good stands.

Salix alba var. vitellina - commonly planted around the grounds. 1991/2 saw much die-back with a good number of trees dying. This may have been caused by defoliation by sawfly larvae over the previous  two or three years. Var. vitellina was preferred by the sawflies with S. alba 'Chermesina' remaining  untouched until all the var. vitellina leaves had been eaten. Unlike 'Chermesina' and var. alba, the leaves of var. vitellina are glabrescent [hairy at first but losing them later] which may be why they are selected by the sawfly.

Salix 'American Mackay' - NU.

Salix 'Aquatica Gigantea' - SA, one plant.

Salix babylonica - one 'True Weeping Willow' in the SA.

Salix [caprea] - the stock named as such from a nursery is clearly not true S. caprea, hybridization being involved. It has been commonly planted around the centre.

Salix cinerea subsp. oleifolia is frequent in ditches and hedges as a native plant.

Salix daphnoides - CP, IS.

Salix daphnoides 'Oxford Violet' - MH, TU, AS.

Salix elaeagnos - commonly planted in the lower area of the grounds.

Salix fragilis - native well established trees occur. Many of those planted from a nursery stock have died,  possibly as a result of sawfly larvae attacks and/or stock being of a weak non-coastal clone.

Salix gracilistyla - NU.

Salix gracilistyla var. melanostachys (S. x melanostachys) - NU, one plant.

Salix hibernica - BG.

Salix hookeriana - NA.

Salix 'Hutchinsoni Nigricans' - NU.

Salix irrorata - TU, cuttings , probably all have died.

Salix kinuyanagi - HM, AS.

Salix magnifica - NU.

Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa' - several in EU.

Salix myasotifolia - NU [possible miss-spelling of S. myrsinifolia]

Salix purpurea - c100 planted around the grounds.

Salix purpurea 'Howki' - MH.

Salix repens var. argentea - MH.

Salix x sepulcralis nothovar. chrysochoma (S. alba var. vitellina 'Pendula'; S. x chrysochoma) - 5 or 6 in EU.

Salix udensis 'Sekka' (S. sachalinensis 'Sekka') - one strong plant in Curator's garden.

Salix viminalis - commonly planted.

Recent amenity plantings around Machynys Pond

These include Salix x calodendron, S. x sepulcralis and S. repens var. argentea. A few S. pentandra and S. triandra, together with a host of other decorative trees and shrubs have also been planted on the low 'hill' around the remnant wall of the demolished Machynys House.

Discussion of botanical terms applied to Salix in the literature.

Catkin: both male and female catkins comprise many flowers. Each flower has a membranous scale at its base variously called a catkin-scale or bract (fig. 1). When the capsule releases the seeds the remaining capsule, split in two, can superficially resemble large anthers.

Bract: also a term applied to a small modified leaf at the base of the catkin or along a catkin-bearing shoot (see also under catkin).

Shoot: the leafy unripened growth of the current season. (cf. Twig).

Stigma: two in Salix but often bifid (ie. divided into two, as illustrated in fig. 1).

Stipule: a small leaf-like growth at the base of a petiole (leaf-stalk).

Striae: elongate ridges on twigs seen by peeling back the bark (See under S. caprea for further discussion of striae).

Twig: the ripened leafless growth of the preceding season (cf. shoot).

Acknowledgements

Grateful thanks to Mr R. D. Meikle (Botanical Society of the British Isles Salix Referee) for determining numerous specimens sent to him from the county over the years and to Mr B. Stewart for providing a checklist with notes of the Salix which were planted at the new Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Penclacwydd, near Llanelli. Thanks also to the numerous recorders who have sent in plants for confirmation or determination especially Messrs I. K. Morgan and R. D. Pryce who have also assisted with the compilation.

References

Brendall, T.  (1985).  Willows of the British Isles.  Shire Publications Ltd., Princes Risborough, Bucks.

Davies, B. L. & Miller, H.  (1944).  Part 39: Carmarthenshire. In: The Land of Britain - The Report of The Land Utilisation Survey of Britain. (ed. L. D. Stamp), [p.533]. London.

Davies, D. & Jones, A.  (1995).  Enwau Cymraeg ar blanhigion. Welsh Names of Plants.  National Museum of Wales: Department of Botany, Cardiff.

Lord, A. ed.  (1990).  The Plant Finder (1990/91 edition).  Headmain Ltd, for the Hardy Plant Society. Whitbourne, Worcs.

Macleod, R. D.  (1952).  Key to the names of British plants.  Pitman & Sons Ltd, London.

Meikle, R.D.  (1984).  Willows and Poplars of Great Britain and Ireland, B.S.B.I. Handbook No. 4.  Botanical Society of the British Isles, London.

Newsholme, C.  (1992).  Willows, the genus Salix.  B.T. Batsford Ltd., London.

Simpson, J.A. & Weiner, E.S.C  (1989,  The Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition).  Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Stace, C.A.  (1991).  New Flora of the British Isles.  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Warren-Wren, S.C.  (1972).  Willows.  David & Charles, Newton Abbott.

Watling, R. & Raven, J.A. eds.  (1992).  Willow Symposium. Edinburgh 1991. Proceedings of The Royal Society of Edinburgh Section B (Biological Sciences) vol. 98.

Appendix 1

Checklist of Carmarthenshire Salix

* indicates a recently planted willow.

S. alba    S. cinerea x S. viminalis (=S. x smithiana)

S. alba var. alba    S. daphnoides

S. alba var. caerulea    S. eleagnos

S. alba var. vitellina    S. ? eriocephala

S alba x S. fragilis (=S. x rubens)    S. fragilis

S. x sepulcralis nothovar.chrysochoma     S. fragilis var. furcata

S. x rubens nothovar. basfordiana    S. fragilis var. russelliana

(=S. alba var.vitellina x S. babylonica)*    S. herbacea

(=S. alba var. vitellina x S. fragilis)    S. pentandra

forma basfordiana*    S. purpurea

forma sanguinea*    S. repens

S. aurita        S. repens var. argentea

S. aurita x S. caprea (=S. x  capreola)    S. repens var. repens

S. aurita x S. cinerea (=S. x  multinervis)    S. triandra

S. caprea    S. viminalis

S. caprea x S. cinerea (=S. x reichardtii)    S x calodendron (=? S. caprea x S. cinerea x S. viminalis)*

S. caprea x S. viminalis (=S. x sericans)    S. x dasyclados ‘Grandis’

S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia    S. x forbyana (=? S. cinerea x  S. purpurea x S. viminalis*

Appendix 2

Grid references of Carmarthenshire place-names referred to in the text

Six-figure grid references refer to the locality of the plant.

Four- or two-figure ones refer only to the general area, not necessarily to the site of the plant in that area.

Ashburnham golf course, SE of pumping station    SN426007    Llyn Llech Owain, near,    SN565149

Bannau Sir Gaer (Carmarthen Fans)    SN810214    Llyn-y-Fan Fach    SN80_21_

Bevan’s Pond, Cydweli Flats, E of,    SN413043    Machynys    SS51398

Capel Quarry    SN559153    Machynys House    SS508980

Carmarthen    SN41_20_    Machynys Link    SS522988

Cencoed -uchaf, E. of,    SN485032    Machynys Pond    SS510980

Coed Bach coal washery, near,    SN427058    Moat Farm, Llandyry    SN433053

Cross Hands area    SN56_12_    Morfa, N. of,    SS519995

Crychan Forest    SN8__4__    Morfa’r Ynys Farm, N. of,    SS522991

Cwmann    SN58_47_    Pembrey    SN42_01_

Cwmoernant Reservoirs, Tanerdy    SN419213    Pembrey, old mineral line,    SN419019

Cwmoernant Reservoirs amenity area    SN419213    Pembrey Forest    SN30_01_

Cydweli Flats    SN41_05_    Pembrey Forest, SE end,    SN408010

Cydweli railway station    SN401065    Penclacwydd    SS53_98_

Cydweli treatment works    SN399063    Penclacwydd area    SS53_98_

Dafen Pond    SN530014    Pendine Burrows    SN25_07_

Dafen Pond, SW of,    SN529013    Pont Ceidrych    SN494152

Ddol-fawr, Llwynhendy, SSW of,    SS536990    Pont-newydd, WNW of Carway    SN44_07_

Dyffryn Farm, Bynea, ENE of,    SS548985    Pont Spwdwr, near,    SN433057

Garnbig, E. of,    SN585158    River Teifi    SN5__4__

Glan-rhyd Farm, Pembrey Airfield    SN404031    River Loughor below Llanedi

Gorslas    SN57_13_                   Cae-delyn    SN588061

Glan Morlais Farm, Trimsaran, near,    SN44_04_                   Ty-canol    SN596063

Gwendraeth estuary W of Cydweli    SN39_06_    Stephens Way, Pensarn    SN412194

Gwendraeth Fach W of Cydweli    SN400069    Techon-fach, N. of Llwynhendy    SS5389492

Gwendraeth Fawr    SN4__0__    Techon-fawr, W. of Llwynhendy    SS538991

Gwendraeth Fawr, near Pont Spwdwr    SN433057    Tirabad (Brecs.)    SN87_41_

Gwendraeth Fawr valley, Lower,    SN4__0__    Tirlan Farm, Llannon, W. of,    SN555075

Laugharne Burrows    SN29_07_    Trostre    SS52_99_

Laugharne Burrows, alongside road,    SN303084    Tywyn Burrows    SN36_04_

Llanelli, N. Dock,    SN49_99_    Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre    SS532986

Llanybydder    SN52_43_