Common Names: aka gray willow (for the color of its bark); long-beaked willow (for the shape of its dried fruit).
Habitat: isolated locations in the southern Rocky Mountains. It tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions. It quickly regenerates in areas disturbed by fires, floods, and human activities, either growing as a marginal species in both hardwood and conifer stands, or forming dense thickets composed almost exclusively of willow. Source: MN DNR
Flowers: catkins 3/4-1 1/2" long; with yellow or brown scales; on short, leafy stalks; before or with leaves.
Description: much branched shrub or small tree with broad, rounded crown. 10' - 25' tall; 6" diameter. Leaves: 1-3 1/2" long, 3/8-1" wide. Elliptical; often broadest beyond middle; sharp-pointed at ends; slightly saw-toothed or wavy; firm; slightly hairy. Dull green above, gray or whitish and net-veined beneath.
Bark: gray; smooth, becoming rough and furrowed.
Twigs: reddish-purple; slender, widely forking; with pressed hairs when young.
Fruit: 3/8" long; very slender capsules, hairy, light brown, ending in long point; long-stalked; maturing in early summer.
Source: enature.com
Comments: Orth Epple plate 38 page 39