Sierra Willow
Salix orestera
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix orestera
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 6-8 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming
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
Homoglaea carbonaria
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in riparian zones; prefers wet conditions.
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Hormone treatment or None required
Establishment: Cuttings are collected in summer after flowering has completed. The plant is generally found in subalpine and alpine meadows; 7,000-13,000 feet and in Oregon, California and Nevada in moist meadows and stream sides. There is a variation in pre-treatment protocol between using hormone treatment and no treatment.
Source: npn.rngr.net