Satiny willow

Leaves

Form

• Narrow, tapering to both ends
• Thick
• Satiny hairs on lower surface
• Midvein prominent on lower surface
• Lateral veins depressed, somewhat straight and parallel
• Stipules small or missing

Length

• 4–12 cm

Colour

• Upper surface dark green
• Lower surface pale

Margin

• Somewhat wavy, rolled under

Buds

Form

• Pointed, pressed against the twig, closely spaced
• Covered with a single scale
• No true terminal bud; end bud originates as a lateral bud
• Flower buds larger than leaf buds
• Leaf scars V-shaped, with 3 vein scars
• Stipule scars on either side

Twigs

Form

• Brittle
• Often coated with a waxy powder

Colour

• Yellowish-brown to dark reddish-brown

Flowers

Form

• Catkins elongated, on short shoots with bract-like leaves

Structure

• Dioecious

Floral timing

• Before or with the developing leaves

Fruits

Form

• Capsules slender, densely hairy

Size

Height

• To 5 m

Range

Newfoundland to Saskatchewan