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Salix arbusculoides
Salix arbusculoides Andersson
Littletree Willow
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Synonym(s): Salix acutifolia, Salix humillima, Salix humillima var. puberula, Salix saskatchevana
USDA Symbol: SAAR3
USDA Native Status: AK (N), CAN (N)
Upright shrub or commonly a small tree, often forming dense thickets, with shiny reddish-brown twigs.
Littletree Willow is widespread in interior Alaska and one of the most common willows there, forming dense thickets. The scientific name means "like a little tree." Except for a few shrubby willow species rarely attaining tree size, this and Feltleaf Willow (S. alaxensis) are the only tree species native in Alaska that are absent from the contiguous 48 states. It is one of several species sometimes producing "diamond willow"; these trunks with diamond-shaped patterns caused by fungi are prized for carving into canes.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , BrownBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AKCanada: ON , SK
Native Distribution: NW. Alaska east across NW. Canada to Kewatin, south to central Manitoba, and west to central British Columbia. Not in contiguous United States. To tree line and beyond to 4000' (1219 m).
Native Habitat: Along streams, also in upland sites; with Black Spruce after fires and with White Spruce and Paper Birch.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Conditions Comments: Performs poorly in dry locations. Spreading crown and roots may compete with crops when planted in shelterbelts.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW |
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 arbusculoides in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salix arbusculoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salix arbusculoides
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-16Research By: TWC Staff