Goat Willow
Salix caprea
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix caprea
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 20-40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Canada: British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario
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
Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Coleophora albidella, Coleophora atlantica, Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), Luna moth (Actias luna), Nevada buck moth (Hemileuca nevadensis), oak winter moth (Hydriomena nubilofasciata)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in damp, wooded areas and riverbanks