(S. alba × S. babylonica).  Widespread weeping tree to 15 m tall or more, sometimes with several trunks. Bark eventually fissured. Twigs golden to brown or green. Leaves silky hairy at first but soon more or less hairless; to 15 cm or more long and to 3 cm wide, bright green above and at least slightly waxy below. Catkins to 5 cm long with a stalk to 5 mm long.

Garden hybrid.

Leaves finely and regularly toothed unlike the weeping S. ×pendulina which has larger more irregular marginal teeth.

 

var. chrysocoma (Dode) Meikle Golden Weeping Willow

(S. alba var. vitellina × S. babylonica) Branchlets strongly pendent. Twigs distinctively golden or yellowish green. [S. ×chrysocoma Dode]

The most commonly planted weeping willow in the United Kingdom and probably formerly often referred to under the names S. babylonica, S. alba 'Tristis' and S. alba var. vitellina 'Pendula'.

Planted as an ornamental and for erosion control. Plants in nature are perpetuated by both seed and cuttings.

This variety is naturalised in New South Wales, Victoria and possibly Tasmania, may form hybrids with other species.

VIC: The University of Melbourne Burnley Campus.

 

var. sepulcralis  Weeping Willow

Twigs greenish.

Probably identified formerly as S. babylonica.

Naturalised in Victoria and possibly other states, mostly as female plants.

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Salicaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.