Whortle-leaved Willow
Scientific name: Salix myrsinites L.
Diagnostic features
Low spreading shrub less than50cm.
Twigs sparsely pubescent at first, soon becoming glabrous, ± glossy, reddish-brown.
Leaves 1.5-7 x 0.5-2.5(3)cm, sparsely pubescent at first, soon glabrous, glossy on upperside, crenate-serrate.
Bracts dark brown.
Nectary 1.
Ovary densely pubescent with iridescent hairs.
Chromosome number: 2n=38.
Habitat
Native; rocky ledges and slopes on mountains.
Distribution
Local in North & Central Scotland, rare in South Scotland.
This species is keyed out on Page 1600 in the Text Key.
Note
Possibly better placed in Section Vetrix.
Hybrids
- Salix myrsinifolia x Salix phylicifolia x Salix myrsinites (= Salix x myrsinatoides Druce nom. nud.) occurs with the parents in Centraleast Scotland and probably includes plants from there previously named Salix phylicifolia x Salix myrsinites, since Salix x tetrapla rather than Salix phylicifolia occurs in the area.
- Salix x punctata Wahlenb. (= Salix myrsinifolia x Salix myrsinites) occurs with the parents in Central Scotland.
- Salix x notha Andersson (= Salix phylicifolia x Salix myrsinites) has been recorded in Mid Perth and Angus, but the plants were probably Salix myrsinifolia x Salix phylicifolia x Salix myrsinites, since Salix x tetrapla rather than Salix phylicifolia occurs in the region.
- Salix lapponum x Salix myrsinites occurs with the parents in Mid Perth, Angus and South Aberdeen.
- Salix myrsinites x Salix herbacea occurs with the parents in Central-east Scotland. |
