Willow Identification Key: Salix elaeagnos

Common Name:

Bitter willow, rosemary willow, hoary willow

Scientific Name:

Salix elaeagnos, Previously known as Salix incana

New Zealand Clones:

Female: PN 225

Technical Description:

Habit: Large shrub or small tree, up to 6 m high, dense and shrubby.

Shoots: Dark reddish or brownish purple; velvety, hairy when young, becoming hairless later; rather brittle.

Leaves: 5-14 cm long, 0.3-1 cm wide; linear or linear lanceolate; dark shining green above, white felted below, margins minutely toothed near apex; bitter.

Catkins: Female only; cylindrical, 2-3 cm long; erect; appearing just before the leaves.

Comments: Planted on riverbanks for erosion control, mainly in Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Westland and Canterbury. Distinctive leaves (very long and narrow), differs from S. viminalis by leaves being felted but not silky below and bitter.

Shoot detail of bitter willow, Salix elaeagnos
Shoot detail of bitter willow, Salix elaeagnos
Upper and lower leaf surfaces of S. elaeagnos (left) and S. purpurea 'Narrowleaf' aka 'Gracilis' (right)
Upper and lower leaf surfaces of S. elaeagnos (left) and S. purpurea 'Narrowleaf' aka 'Gracilis' (right)
Detail of upper and lower leaf surfaces of S. elaeagnos (left) and S. purpurea 'Narrowleaf' aka 'Gracilis' (right)
Detail of upper and lower leaf surfaces of S. elaeagnos (left) and S. purpurea 'Narrowleaf' aka 'Gracilis' (right)
Salix elaeagnos shoots
Salix elaeagnos shoots