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In western Washington, the Salicaceae is represented by willows (Salix) and poplars (=aspens, Populus). The family is distinguished by flowers aggregated into catkins (e.g., pussy willows), with separate male and female individuals. Neither male nor female flowers have sepals or petals. The many small seeds are covered with long white hairs (e.g., cottonwood) and are very buoyant in air and water. The leaves are alternate, simple and stipulate, although the stipules are often deciduous.