Tall shrub or tree, branches covered with whitish tomentum, yellowish white to greyish. Leaf mostly existipulate, petiole 2-5 mm, lamina 4.5-14 x 1-2.5 cm, broadly lanceolate, oblong to ovate-oblong, hairy on the upper surface, hairs short appressed, lower surfaces with dense silvery white tomentum, lateral veins 16-18-(20) pairs, margin slightly wavy or entire, tip acuminate. Catkin sessile, appearing before leaves, densely villous. Male catkin at anthesis 2.5-5 x 1-1.5 cm. Bract blackish, c. 1.8-3 x 0.5-1.5 mm, hairy, hairs long, straight. Gland 0.8-1.6 x 0.1-0.2 mm, linear. Filament glabrous, anther 0.5-0.8 mm long. Female catkin 3-4 cm, longer in fruit. Female flower: ovary 5-6 mm, densely grey tomentose, sessile; style 0.8-1.5 mm, stigmas bifid. Capsule sessile, 5-6 mm, ovate, silky pilose.

Fl. Per.: April-June.

Type: `Songaria ad ripas fluv. Ili et Ajaguz', Schrenk (LE).

Distribution: Afghanistan, Paksitan (Chitral, Swat), Kashmir, Kazakstan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan, N.W. India, Chian (Xinjiang), Mongolia.

Foliage is eaten by livestock. Plant is important from the ornamental point of view and for basket making.