Salix atrocinerea Salix cinerea is a is a small tree that can reach heights of about 9.8-39 ft (3-12 m) tall. It is generally branched from the base but can form a single trunk. It usually has a broad, rounded to flattened crown. The bark is yellowish to reddish and becomes fissured with age. It is native to Africa and Europe.
Foliage
The alternate leaves are bright green and shiny on the upper surface, with soft grey hairs on the underside. The leaves are elliptic to obovate, with finely denticulate or serrate margins.
Flowers
The flower are cylindrical catkins which appear before the leaves in spring. They are about 0.8-1.2 in (2-3 cm) long by 0.2-0.4 in (0.6-1 cm) wide with female catkins longer and narrower than male catkins.
Fruit
The fruits are small capsules from 0.2-0.4 in (5-9 mm) long. Fruits have two valves which contain many tiny wooly seeds.
Ecological Threat
S. atrocinerea readily invades riparian habits, brackish wetlands on coastland, wet forests, alpine bogs, as well as disturbed and undisturbed land on national park land and elsewhere. S. cinerea can grow on a wide range of soils. It can tolerate permanent water logging and a pH down to 3.5.