they are built in a spiral, but often obliquely to directly opposite !
sessile, oblong-ovate, pressed to a branch, 4 -10 x 1 - 2 mm large
covering scale is one, red to reddish - brown
Shoots
they are thin, round, flexible
they are glabrous, olive green to red
Leaves (assimilation organs)
they are simple, oblong-lanceolate to inversely ovate, short-pointed, widest in the upper third and only from there the margin is finely serrated, 5 - 10 x 0.8 - 1.5 cm large
upper side is grey-green, darker
the underside of the leaf is bluish-green, as if hoarfrosted
Flowers
it is dioecious tree species
it blooms in III - IV, early spring before foliage
Fruits – seeds
the fruit is a capsule
the seed is downy achene
Extension
it is originally widespread in Central and Southern Europe
in Slovakia, it grows along watercourses from the lowest positions up to 1,000 (1,200) m above the sea level.
Ecology
it tolerates flooding, but also adapts to drier soils
it preffers moist, flooded, nutritious, often calcareous, sandy and loamy soils
Significance
it is suitable for strengthening the banks of streams and slopes in foothill and mountainous areas
it is one of the first to occupy alluvial gravel benches after floods and thus strengthens them
