Strapleaf Willow
Salix ligulifolia
- Native to:
- United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix ligulifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- SALI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- 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
Io moth (Automeris io), large looper moth (Autographa ampla), Melanchra assimilis, modest furcula (Furcula modesta), Spiramater lutra, White Underwing (Catocala relicta), Dreamy Duskywing (Erynnis icelus), Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea), Lorquin's admiral (Basilarchia lorquini)
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 base after fire or cutting.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich alluvial soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found along streambanks and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–28 days
- Notes:
- Willow seeds are short-lived and must be sown fresh on moist soil; they germinate readily without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI