12. Salix alba Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1021. 1753; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 629. 1888; Nazarov in Kom., Fl. USSR 5: 188. 1936; Rech.f. in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ. 1: 45 1964; A.K. Skvortsov in Rech.f., Fl. Iran. 65: 25. 1969; R.R. Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. Kashm. 182. 1972; A.K. Skvortsov & Edmondson in P.H. Davis, Fl. Turk. 7: 704. 1982; F. Zhenfu, Z. Shidong & A.K. Skvortsov l.c. 184.
Tree up to 35 m tall, bark dark grey, fissured. Young branches erect or drooping, silky, later becoming glabrous. Buds 6 x 1.5-2 mm, lanceolate-oblong, flattened, silky, acute. Leaves stipulate, stipules small, lanceolate, caducous. Petiole 5-8 mm, eglandular, lamina 5-10-(15) x 1-3 cm, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, finely serrate, silky adpressed pilose when young, becoming subglabrescent. Catkins appearing with leaves, dense, cylindrical, often bisexual, rachis densely pubescent, stalked with entire, oblong-obovate, obtusish bracts. Male catkin 25-50 x 3-4 mm. before anthesis. Stamens 2, free, filaments hairy towards the base, anthers 0.5-0.6 (-7) mm, yellow. Female catkin 3-5 x c. 0.6 cm, lax, glands 1 or 2, ovary ovoid, conical, obtuse, glabrous, subsessile; fruiting stipe 0.2-0.8 mm, equalling gland.
Fl. Per.: April-May.
Type: Described from Europe, Herb. Linn. 1158/94 (LINN).
Distribution: Europe except the Arctic W. Siberia; Mediterranean region, S.W. and Central Asia. Often planted. Widely naturalized in Pakistan.
A nectiferous plant; the wood is used as timber and for making cricket bats; young branches are used for weaving baskets. (F. Zhenfu, Z. Shidong & A.K. Skvortsov, l.c.).
