Much branched shrub or tree, twigs silvery tomentose. Leaf stipulate; stipules small, linear-lanceolate; petiole 4-12 mm; lamina (5)-12-20 x 0.5-2-(4) cm, linear lanceolate, margins often revolute, upper surface hoary to glabrate, silvery silky beneath, lateral veins 25-30 pairs, entire or slightly undulate, rarely serrate. Petiole 0.25-1.5 cm long. Stipules subulate. Catkin precocious or coataneous, sessile or nearly so. Ebracteate or bracteate. Male catkin 2.5-3 cm long, 1.5 cm broad, silky. Rachis densely silky. Bracts lanceolate with long silky hairs. Stamens 2, filaments free or rarely somewhat connate. Gland 1, erect, opposite the bract. Female catkin 3-5 cm long, elongating up to 6 cm in fruit. Bracts as in the male. Ovary densely silky, sessile or subsessile, style 0.3-2.5 mm, stigmas 1-2 mm long, entire or parted, as long as or longer than the style. Gand 1, 0.8-1.5 mm long, reaching 1/3 of the ovary. Capsule silky, 4-5 mm long.