Salix serpillifolia or Salix serpyllifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae.

Salix serpillifolia
Salix serpyllifolia at the Giardino Botanico Alpino Chanousia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Salicaceae
Genus:	Salix
Species:	S. serpillifolia
Binomial name
Salix serpillifolia Scop.
Synonyms
Salix retusa subsp. serpyllifolia (Scop.) Rouy Salix retusa var. serpyllifolia (Scop.) Wahlenb.

Description

Salix serpillifolia, also known as thyme-leaved willow, can reach a height of 10–30 millimetres (0.39–1.18 in) and a length of about 20 centimetres (7.9 in). This plant develop woody, dark brown, longitudinally striated, creeping stems. The leaves are tiny, simple, subsessile, spathulate to obovate, without stipules. The upper side is glabrous, glossy dark green covered with a thin waxy layer. Like all willows this species is dioecious. Catkins appear after the leaves. They are about 5 mm long, with yellow anthers. Flowers bloom from May to August.

Distribution

It is present in mountains of southern Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula, the Alps and the Balkans.

Habitat

This species can be found in stony alpine turf, rock crevices and screes at elevation of 1,700–3,200 metres (5,600–10,500 ft) above sea level.

Uses

Salix serpillifolia contains salicin, the source of salicylic acid in aspirin.

References

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 vol.) - Edagricole – 1982

External links

• Biolib
• Alpine Plant Encyclopaedia
• Acta Plantarum

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