Eared Willow

Salix aurita

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Krym, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix aurita
USDA Symbol:
SAAU9

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, moths, birds
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire or cutting.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich loamy soil
pH:
5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wetland areas and along streams.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–28 days
Notes:
Seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist soil surface; light aids germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI