A Eurasian species, occasionally escaped to marshy stream banks; first collected in Michigan by R. E. Gereau in 1980 in Lenawee Co.; specimen kindly determined by G.W. Argus.

Similar to Salix cinerea, and sometimes recognized as S. cinerea subsp. oleifolia (Smith) Macreight. Salix atrocinerea also resembles S. discolor and S. humilis, but in both this species and S. cinerea the wood (at least of 2–3-year-old twigs) is prominently ridged. The ridges can be seen even when dry by scraping the off the bark gently, or soak the bark as necessary to peel it carefully from the wood.