Presented in Association with the Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
The Salicaceae are represented by two genera, Salix (Willows) and Populus (Aspens, Cottonwoods, and Poplars.) These are trees or shrubs that produce catkins, elongate dense racemes of unisexual flowers. There are no petals. The generic name for Aspirin is (acetyl salicylic acid) is derived from the word "Salix." Many ancient societies around the world independently found that willow extracts could be used as painkillers.