Dusky Willow
Salix melanopsis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © dumpygirl (iNaturalist #120769995)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix melanopsis
- USDA Symbol:
- SAME2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
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
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)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Often resprouts from root crown after fire; pioneer species in riparian zones.
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.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are short-lived; sow fresh or cold stratify for 30-60 days.