Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Salicaceae

Genus:

Salix

Species:

Salix laevigata

USDA Symbol:

SALA3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

1500 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

feb,mar,apr

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds, small mammals

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire; often colonizes burned riparian areas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found near streams and wetlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Seeds are short-lived and should be sown fresh; no pretreatment needed if sown immediately after collection.