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Goat willow (Salix caprea) belongs to the Salicaceae (the Willow family). It is a small decidous tree that is native to Europe and western and central Asia. This tree grows in riverbanks and lake shores, and in drier sites, and up to a height of 8-10 m. The leaves are 3-12 cm long and from 2-8 cm wide, broader than most other willows. It is dioecious. The flowers are produced in early spring before the new leaves appear. The male catkins mature yellow at pollen release, the female catkins mature pale green. The fruit is a small capsule 5-10 mm long containing numerous minute seeds embedded in fine, cottony hairs.
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