Photographs: Co.Cork

Creeping Willow Salix repens Saileach reatha Family: Salicaceae Flowering: April-May. Deciduous bush or undershrub. Native. Short catkins on leafy stalks. Crimson fruit, covered in white hairs. Small oval leaves, pointed, usually un-toothed, silky white hairs on undersides. Prostrate and erect woody stems. Creeping rhizomes. Height: Prostrate forms to 50cm, erect forms to 1.25m. Salix repens ssp. argentea has hairs on both sides of leaves. Locally frequent coasts of N, W and SW Ireland. Coastal dunes and heaths, found inland on moorland.

    
Above: Creeping Willow. Seal Harbour, Glengarriff, Co.Cork. April 2007