Salix linearifolia E. Wolf in Acta Horti Petrop. 21: 160 1903, non Rydberg (1901); Nazarov in Kom., Fl. USSR 5: 170. 1936; A.K. Skvortsov in Rech.f., Fl. Iran 65: 38. 1969, R.R. Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. Pak. Kashm. 184. 1972.

Moderately tall shrub or small tree, branches brown, glabrous. Leaf petiolate, petiole 1.5-7 mm long. Lamina (1.5)-4-8.5 cm x 3-10 mm, linear-lanceolate to linear, entire to glandular serrulate, hairy becoming glabrous, tip acute, stipules subulate, caducous. Catkin appearing after leaves. Male catkin with peduncle 3-20 mm long with 2-4 leaves. Main inflorescence at anthesis 25-50 x 5-8 mm. Bracts 1.5-3 x 0.8-1 mm. Stamens 2, filaments 4-5 mm long, connate throughout, densely hairy at the base. Anther 0.5 mm long. Female catkin 30-80 x 9-12 mm when mature. Capsule 4-5 mm long, narrowly conical, hairs appressed, silky, style 0.2-0.6 mm long. Stigmas 4 as up right lobes, 0.2-0.5 mm long. Stipe 0.4-1.3 mm long, about twice the length of the gland.

Fl. Per.: March-April.

Type: "Hissar, M. Babatag prope Ak-Metschet", A. Regel (LE).

Chitral, Mulkoh Gol, between Nishko and Zindragram, c. 2000 m, saline sandy soil, erect small tree, c. 3 m tall, fruit present, not common, 28.6.1987, A.Ghafoor & S.Omer 3256 (KUH) has long and narrow leaves, different from other specimens. More material is required for further studies of such variants, in order to confirm their status; Distribution: Pakistan (Chitral), Kashmir, Afghanistan, Kazakstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, China (S. Xinjiang) (F.Zhenfu, Z.Shidong & A.K. Skvortsov l.c.).