Salix ×fragilis nothovar. fragilis
Description as for the species, but catkins undivided. Victorian material has proportionately narrower, less coriaceous leaves and more slender branches and male catkins than nothovar. furcata. Flowers Aug.–Oct. (later at higher altitudes).
Also naturalised NSW, ACT, Tas. A hybrid between Salix alba var. vitellina and S. euxina I.V.Belyaeva of widespread occurrence in Europe. Very widespread and common in Victoria and undoubtedly the most abundant Salix in the State. Occurs along streams, particularly in southern Victoria; a very serious environmental weed.
A taxonomically difficult group, with numerous different clones, crosses and back-crosses made in cultivation and in the wild. Now includes S. ×rubens Schrank. Previously this taxon was distinguished by its slender, glabrous, often deep reddish-brown, moderately fragile twigs; glabrous leaves with a glossy upper surface; small, evenly spaced glandular-teeth on the leaf margins; rather narrow male catkins (usually 8 mm wide) with fairly loose flowers and very long pendent female catkins. However, there are a range of intermediates between these extreme forms, with plants often not easily assigned to either taxon.
Most collections are male and almost all populations appear to have arisen vegetatively. Females may set seed but pollen donors could probably be any male subgenus Salix taxon.
Spinning