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The "Tachi-yanagi" (Salix subfragilis) belongs to Salicaceae (the Willow family). It is a semi-tall deciduous tree that is distributed throughout Japan, the Korean Peninsula, northeastern China, the Ussuri region of Russia, and Sakhalin. It grows along riverbanks and in wetlands, and grows 3 to 10 m high. The bark is grayish brown and peels off irregularly. The leaves are oblong, 6-15 cm long, with finely serrated edges. The underside is pale white-green and hairless. The male inflorescences are yellow cones and the female inflorescences are yellow-green cones. The fruit is a capsule, which matures in May and splits open. The Japanese name is derived from the upward growth of the branches.
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