Autumn Willow

Salix serissima

Autumn Willow

Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 594. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.

Taxonomy

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

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
12-20 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

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

Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Furcula scolopendrina, Gelechia caudatae, Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix), Io moth (Automeris io), Nevada buck moth (Hemileuca nevadensis), Portland Phosphila (Pheosia portlandia), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Western furcula moth (Furcula occidentalis), White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis), Lorquin's admiral (Basilarchia lorquini), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)

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 bogs