Native Plants
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Salix pyrifolia
Salix pyrifolia Andersson
Balsam Willow
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Synonym(s): Salix balsamifera, Salix balsamifera var. alpestris, Salix balsamifera var. lanceolata, Salix balsamifera var. vegeta, Salix cordata var. balsamifera, Salix pyrifolia var. lanceolata
USDA Symbol: SAPY
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Usually a shrub, sometimes a small tree, with clumps of slender stems branched near the top and a fragrance of balsam.
The common name refers to the aromatic, gland-toothed young leaves, while the Latin species name means "pear leaf." In winter, Balsam Willow is easily recognized by the shiny reddish buds and twigs.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , BrownBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: ME , MI , MN , NH , NY , VT , WICanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Yukon, south to E. British Columbia and across Canada to Labrador, south to New England and New York, and west to Minnesota; to 2000' (610 m).
Native Habitat: Cold, wet bogs.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Benefit
Fragrant Foliage: yesValue 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: | OBL | FACW | 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 pyrifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salix pyrifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salix pyrifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-16Research By: TWC Staff