Willow Identification Key: Salix fragilis

Common Name:

Scientific Name:

New Zealand Clones:

Technical Description:

Habit: Large tree, up to 15-20 m high; broad, rounded crown; wide spreading branches.

Shoots: Shiny brownish or yellowish grey; very fragile at point of attachment to branch; sparse, short hairs at first, soon hairless.

Leaves: 5-15 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, rather pendulous, lanceolate; margins coarsely serrate; dark shiny green above, bluish grey below; lightly silky when young, soon becoming hairless.

Catkins: Only male in New Zealand; 4-8 cm long, slender, drooping on pubescent stalks; appearing with or after leaves, September- October.

Comments: Twigs snap off very readily; dark red sawfly galls; bright red rootlets when submerged in water.