GREY SALLOW

Description

Deciduous large spreading shrub (1–2 m) or small tree (up to 12 m). Has a characteristic dome shape. Only willow to invade non-riparian habitats.

Leaves Generally oval, 2–7 cm long, 1.5–3.5 cm wide, with a short, pointed tip. Dark green on the upper side, blue-green on the underside, initially hair on bo th sides, remaining hairy underneath. New-season leaf growth occurs after flowering.

Flowers Long slender, cylindrical stalk of many petal-less flowers (catkins), golden yellow (male) or green (female). Plants can have male catkins, female catkins or both.

Fruit Capsule 5.5–9 mm long that splits into two.

Seeds Small, light, fluffy appearance from long silky hairs. Prolific seed production.

Stems Dark grey to brown bark, smooth when young, becoming fissured and hairless with age. Young twigs and branches are dark reddish-brown and hairy.

Dispersal Seed and vegetative reproduction from stem fragments dispersed by waterways. Seed also dispersed by wind.

Confused with Other weed Salix spp. other than S. babylonica, S. x calodendron and S. x reichardtii.

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Manually remove or spray small plants. Stem inject or cut stump with herbicide