FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Salix lanata, woolly willow

Salix lanata; the woolly willow is a common low shrub which can be found in all heathers both in lowland but also in the highlands and mountains. It is a dioecious shrub. The woolly willow is sometimes difficult to tell from the blue willow ( Salix glauca ssp. callicarpaea). In spring the different colored inflorescenses and the woolly top parts of the leaves of the woolly willow are easy characteristics. However, later on the woolly willow can lose much of the hairs on the top-side of the leaves. The dense haired twigs of the woolly willow than identifies the species.
It is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae).

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