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Salix arctica
Salix arctica Pall.
Arctic Willow
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Synonym(s): Salix anglorum, Salix anglorum var. antiplasta, Salix anglorum var. araioclada, Salix anglorum var. kophophylla, Salix arctica, Salix arctica ssp. crassijulis, Salix arctica ssp. tortulosa, Salix arctica var. antiplasta, Salix arctica var. araioclada, Salix arctica var. brownei, Salix arctica var. kophophylla, Salix arctica var. pallasii, Salix arctica var. tortulosa, Salix brownei, Salix crassijulis, Salix hudsonensis, Salix pallasii, Salix pallasii var. crassijulis, Salix tortulosa
USDA Symbol: SAAR27
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)
A tiny, ground-hugging willow forming loose mats seldom more than 4 in. high. The dainty, pale-green foliage appears at the same time the large, erect catkins appear. Female catkins are easily recognized by their bright red anthers.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , ID , MT , OR , VT , WACanada: AB , BC , ON
Native Distribution: Circumboreal, s. in N. America to Que. & scattered in w. mts.
Native Habitat: Meadows & open slopes; near & above timberline in mts.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist to drier, gravelly soil.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Dingy Fritillary (Boloria improba) Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Willows are among the easiest of all plants to root from cuttings. Stem and root cuttings are used. Propagation is also accomplished by sowing fresh, untreated seed onto a moist seedbed. Seed viability lasts only a few days.Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | FAC |
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Salix arctica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salix arctica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salix arctica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: TWC Staff