Indian willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian willow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pleiarina tetrasperma var. ichnostachya
• Salix tetrasperma var. nilagirica
• Pleiarina ichnostachya
• Salix tetrasperma var. pyrina
• Salix dunnii var. tsoongii
• Salix boseensis
• Salix pondicheriana
• Salix densa
• Salix suaveolens
• Salix rosthornii
• Salix mesnyi
• Pleiarina angiolepis
• Salix changchowensis
• Salix calophylla
• Salix dictyoneura
• Salix pyrina
• Salix sumatrana
• Salix ichnostachya
• Salix neowilsonii
• Salix nobilis
• Salix mesnyi var. tsoongi
• Salix nilagirica
• Salix argyi
• Salix wilsonii
• Salix warburgii
• Salix nankingensis
• Salix azaolana
• Salix apiculata
• Salix anisandra
• Salix angiolepis
• Salix araeostachya
• Salix dodecandra
• Salix dunnii
• Salix javanica
• Salix junghuhniana
• Salix horsfieldiana
• Salix myurus
• Pleiarina tsoongii
• Pleiarina mesnyi
• Pleiarina dunnii
• Pleiarina dictyoneura
• Pleiarina boseensis
• Pleiarina tetrasperma
• Pleiarina neowilsonii
• Salix glandulosa var. warburgii
• Pleiarina warburgii
• Pleiarina populifolia
• Salix tetrasperma var. harmandii
• Salix indica
• Salix tsoongii
• Salix glandulosa var. stenophylla
• Pleiarina rosthornii
• Pleiarina pyrina
• Salix tetrasperma suaveolens
• Salix chekiangensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Salicaeceae within the genus Salix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across multiple distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within Egypt. Moving to Asia, it is widely distributed throughout various parts of China. Its Chinese habitat includes the North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast territories. Additionally, the species can be found growing on the island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salix tetrasperma is characterized by its preference for riparian environments, specifically thriving in habitats located along rivers. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche within its ecosystem, with its distribution spanning a significant vertical gradient. It is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 900 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 1800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

rivers

Life history

The life history of Salix tetrasperma is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, meaning it lives for multiple years and undergoes continuous growth cycles throughout its existence. As a long-lived woody plant, it establishes a persistent presence in its habitat, often forming stable populations through repeated seasonal growth. Its life cycle involves a predictable rhythm of vegetative development and reproductive phases, where the plant survives periods of dormancy to emerge and expand its biomass annually. This perennial strategy allows the species to invest significant energy into robust root systems and structural longevity, facilitating its ability to persist in specific ecological niches over many successive growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salix tetrasperma is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 17 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 25 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its growth habit. The plant is biologically independent, showing no parasitic behavior, and maintains a consistent woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

17 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salix tetrasperma is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative development is reflected in its leaf morphology, where leaf length typically maintains a mean value of 10 cm, ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width exhibits significant variability, with a mean width of 3.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 4.5 cm.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salix tetrasperma is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of small, lightweight fruits and seeds. The flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable across different cycles. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that generally measure an average of 0.9 cm in length, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. The resulting seeds are extremely uniform in weight, maintaining a consistent mass of 0.04545 g, which serves as both the mean, minimum, and maximum value recorded for the species.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.04545 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salix tetrasperma has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include uridine.

uridine

1. Neurochemistry international

Conditions

Salix tetrasperma has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Parkinson's disease, oxidative stress.

Parkinson's disease

1. Neurochemistry international

Oxidative stress

1. Neurochemistry international