Native Plant Database

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Salix arbusculoides (Littletree willow)
Weyand, Phyllis

Salix arbusculoides Anderss.

Littletree willow

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

Synonyms: Salix acutifolia

USDA Symbol: SAAR3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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 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.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AK
Canada: 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.
USDA Native Status: AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Conditions Comments: Performs poorly in dry locations. Spreading crown and roots may compete with crops when planted in shelterbelts.
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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Salix arbusculoides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Salix arbusculoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salix arbusculoides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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