Alpine Willow
Salix petrophila
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
sheriff_woody_pct
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix petrophila
- USDA Symbol:
- SAPE18
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
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
Arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica), Ross's tussock moth (Gynaephora rossii), Frigga fritillary (Clossiana frigga), Hecla sulphur (Colias hecla), Mountain Clouded Yellow (Colias nastes)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; typical of high-elevation willows.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Willow seeds have very short viability and must be sown fresh on moist substrate. No pretreatment required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI