It is native to riparian habitats, usually found growing beside rivers and streams, and in marshes and water meadow channels.

The alternative was to conserve "Salix fragilis" for the hybrid, with the pure species requiring a new name.

[10] After discussion, the decision was made by the Nomenclature Committee for Vascular Plants in 2009 to reject the first proposal and conserve "Salix fragilis" for the hybrid.

[11] Irina V. Belyaeva then described the previously unnamed parent species as Salix euxina,[8][9][12] and designated a lectotype for the hybrid.

[1][5] As of August 2021[update], none were accepted at this rank by Plants of the World Online, being treated as synonyms of the species.

[4] The name also derives from the twigs which break off very easily and cleanly at the base with an audible crack.

russelliana) is by far the most common clone of crack willow in Great Britain and Ireland, very easily propagated by cuttings.

[20] Species spread is facilitated by stem fragmentation which are carried via waterways and nearby adult individuals.