West Highland Flora

Grey Willow


Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia

Other names: S atrocinerea, S cinerea ssp atrocinerea, Grey Sallow

Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia

Photo © Carl Farmer
25 Sep 2001 Portree, Skye

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.

 

  Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia

Photo © Carl Farmer
25 Sep 2001 Portree, Skye

 

 

Salix cinerea ssp oleifolia

Photo © Carl Farmer
14 Jul 2003 Portree, Skye
Reversed leaf 1.9 cm across at widest

 

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