Coastal Plain Willow

Salix caroliniana

Native to:
Guatemala, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix caroliniana
USDA Symbol:
SACA5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
900 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
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

Io moth (Automeris io), many-lined prominent (Cerura multiscripta), 🛑Hessel's hairstreak (Mitoura hesseli)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Moths:Paraleucoptera albella

Garden & Ecology Notes

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

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich, sandy loam
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wetlands and along riverbanks.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–28 days
Notes:
Seeds are short-lived and must be sown immediately after collection on moist soil; light required for germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Seeds germinate in light

Source: npn.rngr.net