Salix Salix, L.

39. S. cinerea L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 1021 (1753).

Shrub up to 6 m. Twigs rather stout, shortly and persistently pubescent, grey. Decorticated wood with narrow continuous ridges. Leaves up to 1 1 x 4 cm, 2-31 times as long as wide, lanceolate or oblanceolate, apiculate or rounded, cuneate at base, persistently pubescent beneath and grey or somewhat glaucous above; margin often somewhat undulate, distantly crenate-serrate or subentire; petiole up to 15 mm. Stipules usually well developed, semicordate, toothed. Catkins appearing before the leaves, dense, subsessile, finally 3 -5-5 cm. 2« = 76. Most of Europe but local in the west and the Mediterranean region. Al Au Be Br Bu Co Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Gr Ho Hu It Ju No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, E) Sa SuTu.

Absent from most of W. Europe, where records of 39 are mostly referable to 40 or its hybrids.