 Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Frequent beside rivers and streams and in damp woodland where not too shady. Leaves generally 3-7 cm long. ID: Leaves have rust-coloured hairs on veins below (may also have white ones). Most leaves 2-4 times as long as broad. Other features: Catkins flower Mar-Apr. A large shrub or small tree. Stipules usually less than 3 mm, much smaller than those of Eared Willow. Young leaves have reddish hairs all over on their top side. Frequently hybridises with Eared Willow. The hybrid is fertile and many S cinerea specimens show some degree of introgression. Also hybridises commonly with Goat Willow. |
