Characteristic 5

Low-growing shrubs (up to 1.5 m H) + small leaves (up to 4 cm L). 

Very small striae on debarked twigs, 1-2 mm L; leaves 1-3.5 cm L, 0.4-2.5 cm W, matt green above, silvery hairy below. Some leaves opposite.

5a Leaf disks 4-10 times as long as wide, with the greatest width about in the middle; leaf margin in dry condition almost flat; stipules little developed or almost absent; ovary and fruit always hairy. 

► Salix repens ssp. angustifolia 

Leaf blades 1.3-4 times as long as wide, with the greatest width above the centre; leaf margin in dry condition usually slightly recurved; stipules small, but usually well developed; ovary and fruit hairy or glabrous. 

5b Annual twigs densely grey-felted; leaf disks 1.3-2.5 times as long as wide; remaining slightly hairy on top. Colour of catkins may be yellow, pink or red. Intermediate characteristics with next taxon may occur.  Common in the dunes.

► Salix repens ssp. dunensis 

5c Annual twigs sparsely hairy to almost bare; leaf blade 2-4 times as long as wide; on the upper side rapidly becoming bare before summer. Intermediate features with previous taxon may occur.  Most common in heathland areas.

► Salix repens ssp. repens 

5d Many branched glabrous, rather shiny reddish-brown twigs; leaves at first densely silky but soon glabrous; above bright green shine, underside distinct sea-green haze; some leaves opposite; leaves turn black on desiccation; leaves oblong 2-4 cm L, 0.5-1.3 cm W, with abruptly sharp or almost tipped apex; leaf margin serrate or somewhat smooth and narrowly recurved; petioles very short or almost absent; rarely supporting leaves. Stamens usually Y-shaped. 

► Salix x doniana (S. purpurea x S. repens) 

Salix repens ssp. rosmarinifolia: see Appendix 3 photographs