Downy Willow

Description

Salix lapponum, the downy willow, is a low, much branched shrub (to 1.5 metres) having a wide distribution in Northern Europe, eastwards to the Altai and western Siberia, and is found as far south as the Pyrenees and Bulgaria. In Scotland it can be found on rocky mountain slopes and cliffs, generally at altitudes between 200 and 900 metres. Leaves usually lanceolate to 7 cm long by 2.5 cm wide; slightly hairy to hairy on upper side; usually densely hairy on lower side; margins entire or subentire, sometimes a little undulate. Petiole short, occasionally up to 1 cm long but usually less than 5mm.