Dune Willow
Salix hookeriana
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Susan E. Nyoka
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix hookeriana
- USDA Symbol:
- SAHO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
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
Acerra normalis, American lappet moth (Phyllodesma americana), American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Dimorphic Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena mollisaria), Egira hiemalis, false pinion (Litholomia napaea), Fishia evelina, George's pinion (Lithophane georgii), gray dagger moth (Acronicta grisea), gray swordgrass (Xylena cineritia), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Homoglaea dives, Iridopsis emasculata, Linden looper (Erannis tiliaria), oak nycteoline (Nycteola revayana), Portland Phosphila (Pheosia portlandia), Pseudorthodes irrorata, Red-washed Prominent (Oligocentria semirufescens), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata), Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Synaxis jubararia, Three-spotted sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Xanthorhoe defensaria, Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown and stems following fire or cutting.
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:
- Common in coastal wetlands and riparian zones
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 germinate rapidly without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI