Salicaceae

Salicaceae, commonly called the willow family, is a family of flowering plants in the order Malpighiales. The group includes the willows (Salix) and the poplars and aspens (Populus), which are the two largest genera. Members are trees or shrubs that in many species grow near water; they are often deciduous and can be valued for rapid growth and flexible wood. Leaves are typically simple, alternate, and finely serrated, and many species form catkins as their inflorescences.

Taxonomy and systematics have shifted substantially in recent decades. In older classifications, Salicaceae encompassed a broad range of genera that were later placed in Flacourtiaceae. Modern classifications, such as APG, place Salicaceae in Malpighiales with Salix and Populus as core genera. Several genera formerly assigned to Flacourtiaceae have been reassessed and moved into Salicaceae or related groups, reflecting advances in molecular phylogenetics.

Description and reproduction are marked by catkin-bearing flowers and wind dispersal. Flowers are often unisexual, and many Salix species are dioecious, while Populus species can be dioecious or monoecious. Seeds are small and frequently have fluffy hairs to aid wind dispersal. The wood is generally soft to medium density, and many species are prone to coppicing, a trait with historical and practical value for forestry.

Distribution and habitat span temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with native species in Europe, Asia, and North America. Some species have been introduced and widely cultivated for timber, pulp, erosion control, and ornamental use. The family plays an important ecological role in wetland and riparian ecosystems, supporting diverse insect and bird communities.