large gray willow
(Salix atrocinerea Brot.)

Overview

Appearance

Salix atrocinerea Salix cinerea is a is a small tree that can reach heights of about 9.8-39 ft (3-12 m) tall. It is generally branched from the base but can form a single trunk. It usually has a broad, rounded to flattened crown. The bark is yellowish to reddish and becomes fissured with age. It is native to Africa and Europe.

Foliage

The alternate leaves are bright green and shiny on the upper surface, with soft grey hairs on the underside. The leaves are elliptic to obovate, with finely denticulate or serrate margins.

Flowers

The flower are cylindrical catkins which appear before the leaves in spring. They are about 0.8-1.2 in (2-3 cm) long by 0.2-0.4 in (0.6-1 cm) wide with female catkins longer and narrower than male catkins.

Fruit

The fruits are small capsules from 0.2-0.4 in (5-9 mm) long. Fruits have two valves which contain many tiny wooly seeds.

Ecological Threat

S. atrocinerea readily invades riparian habits, brackish wetlands on coastland, wet forests, alpine bogs, as well as disturbed and undisturbed land on national park land and elsewhere. S. cinerea can grow on a wide range of soils. It can tolerate permanent water logging and a pH down to 3.5.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group List
• Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
• Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
• New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited

References