Balsam willow
- Latin name: Salix pyrifolia Andersson
- French name: Saule baumier
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Taxonomic Serial Number: 22575
520763 [syn. S. balsamifera Barratt]
Description
Leaves
Form
- Oval, thick
- Tip tapered to a point, base rounded
- A network of prominent veins on lower surface
- Stipules small or missing
- Young leaves thin, translucent
- Odour of balsam from bruised leaves
Length
- 3–8 mm
Colour
- Upper surface dark green
- Lower surface paler
- Young leaves often tinged with red
Margin
- Teeth short, gland-tipped
Petiole
- Glands near the leaf blade
Buds
Form
- Pointed, pressed against the twig, closely spaced
- Covered with a single scale
- No true terminal bud; end bud originates as a lateral bud
- Flower buds larger than leaf buds
- Leaf scars V-shaped, with 3 vein scars
- Stipule scars on either side
Twigs
Form
- Odour of balsam from bruised twigs
- Shiny
Colour
- Yellowish or greenish in spring becoming reddish-brown
- Larger stems grey or brown to purplish-red
Flowers
Form
- Catkins on short, usually leafy shoots
Structure
- Dioecious
Floral timing
- With the leaves
Fruits
Form
- Capsules smooth
Size
Height
- To 8 m
Habitat
Site
- Spruce bogs and alder swamps
Range
Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, south into Michigan and Vermont
Insects and mites
Insects that cause damage to this tree.
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Birch and alder flea weevil
Scientific name: Rhynchaenus testaceus (Mull)
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Poplar-and-willow borer
Scientific name: Cryptorhynchus lapathi (Linnaeus).
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Willow flea weevil
Scientific name: Isochnus rufipes (LeConte)
Foliage or buds
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Ceanothus silk moth
Scientific name: Hyalophora euryalis (Walker)
- Eulithis destinata (Moesch)
- Eupithecia subfuscata (Haworth)
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Mourningcloak butterfly or spiny elm caterpillar
Scientific name: Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus)
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Pero moth
Scientific name: Pero morrisonaria (Hy. Edwards)
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Poplar-and-willow borer
Scientific name: Cryptorhynchus lapathi (Linnaeus).
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Speckled green fruitworm
Scientific name: Orthosia hibisci (Guenée)
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White slaut
Scientific name: Tetracis cachexiata (Guenée)