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The "Ezono-takane-yanagi" (Salix nakamurana ssp. yezoalpina) belongs to Salicaceae (the Willow family). It is a small deciduous shrub that is found on Rishiri Island and in the Daisetsuzan mountain range in Hokkaido, Japan. It is considered a subspecies of "Takane-iwa-yanagi", which is found in central Honshu. It grows on gravelly ground in alpine zones and reaches a height of 20 to 50 cm. The branches creep along the ground, forming small clumps. The leaves are elliptical to nearly circular, 2-5 cm long, with a deep green, glossy surface and almost no serrations along the margins. It is dioecious. Around July, it produces racemes about 3-5 cm long. The male flowers are characterized by reddish anthers when they first open. It is designated as Endangered (EN) on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List.
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