Salix elaeagnos / Salice ripariolo

Origin: Central and Southern Europe, Minor Asia

Botanical characteristics: It is a large shrub or small tree, deciduous, thick and bushy, fast-growing that reaches 10-15 meters in height. It has young pubescent branches, which are thin, grey and then reddish-brown. Leaves are linear, dark green and shiny on the upper side, white below. It is a dioecious plant with male and female flowers, on separated plants, clustered in thin catkins. The blooming occurs in spring, together with the leaves.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is spontaneous on shores up to 1800 meters above sea level, preferably on calcareous soils. It is more common in the Alps and Apennines.

Use: It can be used along rivers, moist soils and slopes and is suitable for coating and the reforestation of uncultivated moist areas.