Willow Hawthorn
Crataegus saligna
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © rea_orthner (iNaturalist #167449889)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Crataegus
- Species:
- Crataegus saligna
- USDA Symbol:
- CRSA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata), Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), brown-tipped selenia (Selenia alciphearia), Dimorphic Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena mollisaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), fragile dagger moth (Acronicta fragilis), funeral dagger moth (Acronicta funeralis), George's pinion (Lithophane georgii), Morning-glory prominent moth (Schizura ipomoeae), Radcliffe's dagger moth (Acronicta radcliffei), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Synaxis jubararia, Waved Sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from the root crown following fire. Tolerates moderate fire regimes in its native range.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to riparian zones, prefers sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination may take 1-2 years and is often erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI