Rock Willow
Salix vestita
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- Salix vestita
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 4-6 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Green, Brown
Native Range
United States: Montana, Oregon, Washington, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec
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
dingy fritillary (Clossiana improba), Giant Sulphur (Colias gigantea), Titania's fritillary (Clossiana titania), 🛑Uncompahgre fritillary (Boloria acrocnema)
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:
- Typically found in alpine and subalpine regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cuttings are 10 cm in length and 1.0 cm in caliper. They are placed in a 2 minute fungicide bath to remove surface pathogens and treated with 1000 ppm liquid IBA. Cuttings are then struck in mist bed with at least 2 nodes below the surface of the rooting medium.
Establishment: Salix vestita can be easily produced by either softwood or hardwood cuttings. Initial rooting occurs in one week. The plant occurs from southern B.C. and Alberta to Washington, northeastern Oregon, and central Montana in meadows, talus and scree near or above treeline.
Source: npn.rngr.net