The salicaceae (willow) family is a group of shrubs and trees that have simple leaves, usually alternate and with stipules at the base, catkin-like flowers, and feathery seeds, contained in a capsule. Around 20 species in the willow genus (salix) are found in the UK, many quite localised, plus several in the poplar genus (populus); the former have narrow leaves and buds enclosed by one scale, while the latter have wider leaves, rounded or triangular, and several scales around the bud.
