Abstract
S. cinerea (grey sallow) is included in the section Capreae of subgenus Caprisalix (Rechinger, 1964). It is a broadleaved willow, typically a large shrub generally much branched from the base with numerous intercrossing branches. Bark is dark grey, becoming fissured with age. The species forms a broad, rounded crown. Twigs are densely pubescent, remaining so at least until the end of the first year; wood of peeled twigs with long, scattered striae. Leaves very variable, usually ovate or oblanceolate, 2-9 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, dull grey-green and pubescent above or dark green and slightly lustrous. Catkins appearing in advance of the leaves in March and April. Male flowers with 2 free stamens. Capsule up to 10 mm (Meikle, 1984; Newsholme, 1992). S. cinerea is a Eurasian species, common throughout Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia (including Spain and Portugal, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the Aegean Islands and Turkey). Its range extends eastward to Asia, from the Crimea to the Caucasus, from northern Iran to Siberia, and north of the Caspian and Aral seas to the Chinese border (Jalas and Suominen, 1976; Skvortsov, 1999).It is a useful species in erosion control projects, and to protect marshlands and riverbanks. Because of its early flowering, it is also important for honeybees (Schiechtl, 1996). Hybrids with S. viminalis (S. × calodendron) are grown in the UK, Germany and Denmark to produce biomass as a energy source (McElroy et al., 1983).