Meadow Willow

Salix petiolaris

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix petiolaris

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Purple
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

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

Anagoga occiduaria, Anaplectoides pressus, Black-rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa), Cerastis tenebrifera, Confused Morrisonia (Morrisonia confusa), gray dagger moth (Acronicta grisea), Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix), Lacanobia radix, Lace-winged zale (Zale minerea), Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex), New England buck moth (Hemileuca lucina), Pyreferra citrombra, stormy arches (Polia nimbosa), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Western furcula moth (Furcula occidentalis), Willow ghost moth (Sthenopis thule), Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadicum)

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 wetland areas