Shrub, rarely small tree, 5-6 m tall, with spreading knotty branches; young branches tomentose, becoming glabrous. Leaves stipulate, stipules 2-4 mm long, semicordate, dentate. Petioles 3-5 mm long, slightly hairy. Lamina 3.5-7.5 x 1.8-4 cm long, elliptic to subrhomboidal, rarely ovate narrowed at base, shortly acuminate, entire or irregularly toothed, pilose, becoming glabrous. Catkin appearing before leaves or more or less at the same time as leaves, lateral, subsessile or borne on a short stalk with 4-6 bracts. Bracts 1.5-2.5 x 0.5-1 mm, generally obtuse, hairy. Male flower: stamens 2, free, filaments 4-7.5 mm long, hairy at base; anthers 0.5-0.7 mm long. Female catkin up to 2 x 0.7 cm; in fruit 4 cm long. Female flower: Ovary c. 3 mm long, hairy, hairs appressed silky, white, style c. 1 mm long, elongating later on; gland 1, posterior, c. 0.5 mm long, emerginate at apex. Capsule stipitate, stipe 1-3 mm long; capsule 5-8 mm long, sparsely hairy.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Type: Sarybulak prope Kuldscha, 4-6000 ft, A. Regel (LE).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan (Chitral, Gilgit), Kashmir, Kazakstan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.