Willow Salix laevigata: Red Willow from photos by Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College (Page background: S. laevigata Catkins)     There are several hundred species of willow tree, but I will concentrate on my favorite - the Red Willow. She's a beautiful tree with a beautiful spirit. --Red Willow--    Leaf: shape-broader at the base, tapering to a point; tip-long pointed; edge-very finely toothed; color-green on top, whitish on the bottom. Flower: color-yellow; male; female showing fruit; bud scale sharply pointed Bark: color-gray; texture-rough, furrowed; young twig color-red to yellow brown Profile: tree or large shrub; dense; often appearing whitish from the backs of the leaves; and a show of fall color A 'pioneer' species, it likes a moist-site and is shade intolerant. Willow bark contains salicylic acid, the active chemical in aspirin. Salix (willow) is an extremely diverse genus, most of which are quite happy in any sort of loamy soil, including wetland.     According to some of my sources, the inner bark was used for smoking in the pipe when that of C. Stolonifera was not available. It was called Cansasa, but the bark from C. Stolonifera was called 'real' Cansasa.     Other sources have told me that one could soak willow twigs in water and use the water to irrigate cuttings that were being rooted. The idea is that there is a hormone in the twigs that promotes rooting. I have never tried this, but it would make an interesting experiment.     The framework of the Inipi is usually made of young willow branches or saplings. They are quite easy to bend when they are not dried out.       Willow is used for weaving baskets and even for making furniture. The furniture is actually quite sturdy and attractive.     And, finally, here's a little blurb out of ancient China: One day, while watching the snow fall, Xie An asked Xie Daoyun and her elder brother: "What does this snow scene resemble?" His nephew, Xie Zilang replied: "It is just like salt sprinkled from the heavens." Xie Daoyun offered a different answer: "Is it not like a sky full of willow catkins blown about by the wind?" Xie An was so delighted with his niece's reply that he and future generations, often referred to her as "the talent that praises willow catkins".

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