Yellow Willow
Salix lutea
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © hebagley (iNaturalist #131846866)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix lutea
- USDA Symbol:
- SALU2
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
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
Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea), Lorquin's admiral (Basilarchia lorquini)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, 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 rivers
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are short-lived and should be sown fresh; no pretreatment needed if sown immediately after collection.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: S. boothii is found throughout western United States and Canada in montane and subalpine riparian areas. Cuttings are collected from stooling beds that are hedged to maintain juvenile wood that is straight and for ease of handling and sticking in field beds. Wild collections are also grown at our nursery and kept separated according to source.
Source: npn.rngr.net