Diamondleaf Willow

Salix planifolia

Native to:
Canada, Labrador, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Salicaceae
Genus:
Salix
Species:
Salix planifolia
USDA Symbol:
SAPL2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
Height:
400 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
yellow, green
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

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

Clouded Sulphur (Colias scudderii)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees, butterflies, small mammals
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire or mechanical damage.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, moist, organic soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wetlands and along streams.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds are very short-lived and must be sown immediately on moist soil; no pretreatment needed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: S. planifolia is found from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to New Hampshire, Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and south through the western states to New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Source: npn.rngr.net