Editing Salix caprea (section)

==Description==
It is a [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]], reaching a height of {{convert|8|-|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}, rarely to 13 m.

The [[leaf|leaves]] are 3–12&nbsp;cm long and from 2–8&nbsp;cm wide, broader than most other willows.

The [[flower]]s are soft silky, and silvery 3-7-cm-long [[catkin]]s are produced in early spring before the new leaves appear; the male and female catkins are on different plants ([[plant sexuality|dioecious]]). The male catkins mature yellow at [[pollen]] release, the female catkins mature pale green.

{{Multiple image
| align = left
| total_width = 300
| image1 = Salix caprea female TK 3.jpg
| alt1 = female and male catkins of ''Salix caprea''
| caption1 = Female catkins
| image2 = Salix caprea male TK 4.jpg
| caption2 = Male catkins
}}

The [[fruit]] is a small [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 5–10&nbsp;mm long containing numerous minute [[seed]]s embedded in fine, cottony hairs. The seeds are very small (about 0.2&nbsp;mm) with the fine hairs aiding dispersal; they require bare [[soil]] to [[Germination|germinate]].<ref name=meikle/><ref name=rushforth>Rushforth, K. (1999). ''Trees of Britain and Europe''. Collins. {{ISBN|0-00-220013-9}}.</ref>

The two [[variety (biology)|varieties]] are:<ref name=meikle/>
*''S. c.'' var. ''caprea'' - lowland regions throughout the range, leaves thinly hairy above, densely hairy below, 5–12&nbsp;cm long,  stipules persistent until autumn
*''S. c.'' var. ''sphacelata'' (Sm.) Wahlenb. (syn. ''S. caprea'' var. ''coaetanea'' Hartm.; ''S. coaetanea'' (Hartm.) Floderus) - high altitudes in the mountains of central and northern Europe (Alps, Carpathians, Scotland, Scandinavia), leaves densely silky-hairy on both sides, 3–7&nbsp;cm long, stipules early deciduous. In western Norway there are trees of S. c. var 'Sphacelata' that are 18–20 meters tall and have mostly single trunks.