Salix Caprea, Goat Willow



Common name:
Goat willow
Scientific name:
Salix caprea
Main flower color:
Range:
All areas of the British Isles
Height:
Up to 10 m
Habitat:
Woodland, hedges, roadsides, waste ground
Flowers:
Buds are enclosed by a dark brown scale, lined with long, whitish hairs. Male catkins, up to 4 cm long, contain many slender stamens (two per flower) topped by yellow anthers, while female catkins, up to 7 cm long, contain greyish-green ovaries with pale yellow stigmas at the tip
Leaves:
Ovate, pointed at the tip, densely hairy below but hairless above, up to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide; broader than many other willow species. Leaves appear after the flowers
Season:
March to April
Rarity:
★★★★