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Glite Dictionary
Salix alba

Salix alba

8.3
A large willow tree with grey soft leaves and grey bark that grows near rivers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sauce blanca
  • A row of Salix alba lined the banks of the quiet river.

Examples

  • The bark of Salix alba has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

  • Botanists studied the leaf structure of Salix alba to understand its adaptability to different climates.

  • The Salix alba is often found near rivers.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Salix alba for its beauty.

  • A row of Salix alba lined the banks of the quiet river.

  • Botanists studied the leaf structure of Salix alba to understand its adaptability to different climates.

  • The bark of Salix alba has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Synonyms

white willow
vsSalix alba
5.6

A large tree with silvery leaves and grey bark that grows near water

is the formal botanical name used for the same species
Huntingdon willow
vsSalix alba
8.1

A large willow tree with silvery leaves and grey bark often grown in parks

is the species name rather than the cultivated or garden form

Surface Forms

Salix alba singular
Salix albae plural

Morphology

Salix + alba

The name is compositionally derived: Salix denotes the willow genus and alba (Latin for "white") describes a property, so the binomial literally means "white willow" and directly indicates the species. If a B1 learner knows both constituents, the referent and its descriptive property are immediately understandable, though in practice 'alba' is Latin and may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

The name Salix alba comes from Latin words: Salix meant 'willow' and alba meant 'white'. The tree has pale leaves and light bark, so the name describes the tree and is why we call it the 'white willow' today.