Bonpland Willow

Salix bonplandiana

Native to:
Guatemala, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix bonplandiana
USDA Symbol:
SABO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

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)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Merry Melipotis (Melipotis jucunda)

Garden & Ecology Notes

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

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found near streams and rivers

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Willow seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist soil; they require light for germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI