NEN Gallery

Grey Willow is a shrub or small tree growing up to 15m. The twigs are downy when young. The catkins appear in March and April, before the leaves. The leaves are slightly narrower than those of Goat Willow (Salix Caprea). The male catkins are 2-4cms long and the female catkins 3-7cms long. The catkins have many white silvery hairs. The male catkins have two golden stamens per flower and the female flowers have downy green overies and 2 green stigma. The male and female catkins are produced on different trees. The leaves, when they appear, are pointed at the tip. The plant is very common in woods and wet places. Picture taken 17th March 2009 at Felmersham, Bedfordshire.