This very small and easily overlooked little shrub turned out to be the hybrid between Salix aurita (Eared Willow) and Salix phylicifolia (Tea-leaved Willow) both of which grown very close to the river Tees on its banks. This is one of those plants which is rarely even noticed by ordinary amateur botanists let alone identified, but on our excellent WFS Teesdale expedition this one had already been identified beforehand by an expert.

Salix x ludificans is found in the north of the country where one of the parents Salix phylicifolia (Tea-leaved Willow) is mostly to be found. There is none in central and southern England or in Wales and only one record from Ireland.

Banks of River Tees 21st june 2005

Added on November 21st 2005, updated 27th January 2012