Dusky Willow
Salix melanopsis
Michaux, François André, 1770-1855. cn; Nuttall, Thomas, 1786-1859. 1n;
Smith, J. Jay (John Jay), 1798-1881Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix melanopsis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Brown
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
- Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acleris hastiana, Anacampsis sacramenta, Aristotelia fungivorella, Aristotelia salicifungiella, Buck Moth (Hemileuca maia), Caloptilia stigmatella, Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Columbia silk moth (Hyalophora columbia), Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Filatima saliciphaga, fruit-tree leafroller (Archips argyrospila), Io moth (Automeris io), Kaslo silkmoth (Hyalophora "kasloensis"), Lebeau's silk moth (Rothschildia lebeau), Mendocino saturnia moth (Saturnia mendocino), Micrurapteryx salicifoliella, Nevada buck moth (Hemileuca nevadensis), Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), Pandemis leafroller (Pandemis pyrusana), Phyllonorycter salicifoliella, Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Saturnia homogena, White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadicum), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Sylvan Hairstreak (Satyrium sylvinum), Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus), Weidemeyer's Admiral (Basilarchia weidemeyerii), Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich alluvial soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found along riverbanks and floodplains.