Bebb Willow

Salix bebbiana

Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA

Taxonomy

Division:: Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:: Salicaceae
Genus:: Salix
Species:: Salix bebbiana

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:: Perennial
Growth Habit:: Shrub , Tree
Height:: 20-40 ft
Light Requirements:: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:: High
Bloom Months:: apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:: White, Green, Brown

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:: ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Bee Keystone:: ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Acronicta dactylina, Acronicta noctivaga, Agonopterix argillacea, Amanda's Pinion (Lithophane amanda), Angle-lined Prominent (Clostera inclusa), Archips mortuana, Archips myricana, Coleophora atlantica, common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Eueretagrotis perattentus, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Goldilocks moth (Lithomoia solidaginis), Gray Furcula (Furcula cinerea), Gypsonoma salicicolana, Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix), Lace-winged zale (Zale minerea), large looper moth (Autographa ampla), Melanchra assimilis, Mesothea incertata, Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), One-eyed sphinx (Smerinthus cerisyi), Pale beauty (Campaea perlata), Phyllonorycter salicifoliella, Phyllonorycter scudderella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Spiramater lutra, Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), Twin-spotted sphinx (Smerinthus jamaicensis), Western furcula moth (Furcula occidentalis), wheatear sallow (Lithophane fagina), Xestia oblata, Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus), Red-spotted Purple (Basilarchia arthemis)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:: moist, nutrient-rich loamy soil
pH:: 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:: tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:: consistently moist
Notes:: Commonly found in wetlands and along stream banks

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Sow cleaned seeds as soon as possible after collection. No stratification required.

Establishment: Identification of female clones is needed for wildland collections. The most critical factor in collection of viable Salix seed is frequent observation of catkin development. Harvest should coincide with the appearance of cotton emerging from partially opened capsules. Seed dispersal usually only takes a few days in a room with dry air and normal working temperatures.

Source: npn.rngr.net