Plants 0.01-1.5 m, sometimes clonal by layering or rhizomes. Largest medial blades hypostomatous, amphistomatous, or hemiamphistomatous, abaxial surface glaucous. Catkins from subterminal buds. Staminate flowers: filaments glabrous or hairy. Pistillate flowers: abaxial nectary sometimes present, then distinct, or connate to adaxial and forming a cup; ovary not glaucous, sparsely to very densely short-silky, hairs white or white and ferruginous, cylindrical or flattened.

Species 4 (3 in the flora): North America, Eurasia.

Lower Taxa

• Salix nivalis Hooker
• Salix reticulata Linnaeus
• Salix vestita Pursh