Tealeaf Willow
Salix pulchra
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, Kuril Is., Russia, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix pulchra
- USDA Symbol:
- SAPU15
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- 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
Hare-Lip Dagger Moth (Acronicta lepusculina), Clouded Sulphur (Colias scudderii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, moose, caribou, ptarmigan, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown and buried stems following fire; common post-fire colonizer in arctic and subarctic ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in riparian zones and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 1–7 days
- Notes:
- Seeds lose viability quickly and must be sown fresh on moist substrate; light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI