almond willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• French willow
• almond willow
• almond-leaved willow
• almond-leaf willow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pleiarina triandra

Regional and Traditional Names

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, falling within the family Salicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Salix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Salix triandra, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the natural landscapes of Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Norway. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salix triandra is characterized by its presence across diverse and contrasting environments, including desert, forest, and steppe ecosystems. This adaptability allows the species to thrive in varying landscape structures, ranging from more arid open shrublands to more sheltered wooded areas. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the plant is specifically adapted to high-altitude environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2900 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1700 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert, forest, steppe

Life history

The life history of Salix triandra is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground, exhibiting a growth form that typically involves woody stems or shrubs. This species is distinctly deciduous, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. Its biological strategy as a phanerophyte ensures its structural longevity and ability to dominate its specific ecological niche over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salix triandra is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant vertical development, with a minimum height of 1 meter and a maximum height reaching up to 6 meters, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 7.2915 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

7.2915 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salix triandra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard metabolic strategy for many temperate woody species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate light and temperature conditions. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 6.28333 cm², which contributes to its overall light interception capabilities. Furthermore, the species maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 116.14 cm²/g, reflecting a specific leaf mass distribution that balances leaf thickness with surface area to optimize gas exchange and resource management within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

6.28333 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

116.14 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salix triandra is characterized by a dioecious sexual reproduction system, meaning individual plants are either male or female, and self-fertilization is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in May. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule, which is dehiscent, allowing for the release of seeds. These seeds are extremely lightweight, with a consistent seed mass of approximately 2e-05 g (minimum, mean, and maximum). Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, where the seeds are dispersed by the wind. There is no recorded evidence of asexual reproduction for this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass mean:

2e-05 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salix triandra has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dihydromyricetin, Picein, isograndidentatin B, salicin.

Dihydromyricetin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Picein

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

isograndidentatin B

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

salicin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Salix triandra has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain.

Pain

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Salix triandra has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)