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Native Plant Database

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Salix exigua (Coyote willow)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salix exigua Nutt.

Coyote willow, Narrow-leaf willow, Narrowleaf willow, Sandbar willow

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

Synonyms: Salix hindsiana

USDA Symbol: SAEX

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small, clumping, deciduous shrub or tree, from 4-15 ft. tall. The bark is gray and furrowed; the leaves silky-gray. Catkins appear after the leaves.

This hardy species has perhaps the greatest range of all tree willows: from the Yukon River in central Alaska to the Mississippi River in southern Louisiana. A common and characteristic shrub along streams throughout the interior, especially the Great Plains and Southwest, it is drought-resistant and suitable for planting on stream bottoms to prevent surface erosion. Livestock browse the foliage; Indians made baskets from the twigs and bark.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , TX , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , ON
Native Distribution: Cismontane CA to OR
Native Habitat: Along ditches & sandbars mostly below 3000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet sandy gravels.
Conditions Comments: Excellent for stream stabilization as the plant suckers profusely.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Salix exigua is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Rocky Mountain agapema
(Agapema homogena)

Food Source
Learn more at BAMONA

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 Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX

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

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.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-05-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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