FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Salix herbacea, Dwarf Willow, Grasvíðir

Salix herbacea; the dwarf willow can be found almost anywhere. The dwarf willow is typically a Nordic willow species adapted to harsh sub-arctic environments. Like all willows, it is dioecious, meaning plants bare either male or female catkins. They are very different in appearance. The opening photo shows a plant with female catkins which are characteristically red-coloured in appearance. The next photo shows - like the thumbnail in the list - a male plant with yellowish stamens. It is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Grasvíðir.