The Ovule Number Variation Provides New Insights into Taxa Delimitation in Willows (Salix subgen. Salix; Salicaceae)
Journal: Plants
Year: 2023

<i>Salix babylonica</i>, <i>S. alba</i> and <i>S. fragilis</i> are closely related species characterized by the lanceolate, acuminate and serrulate leaves. The boundaries between them are defined by relatively few diagnostic characters, and their identification is not fully solved. Recent studies have demonstrated that the number of ovules present in the ovaries of the willow flower can assist in the identification of the species. The detailed ovule data, characteristic for flowers of each speci