Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Salix taxifolia (Yew-leaf willow)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Salix taxifolia Kunth

Yew-leaf willow, Yewleaf willow

Salicaceae (Willow Family)

USDA Symbol: SATA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Large shrub or small to medium-sized tree with dense, rounded crown of erect and spreading branches, very small narrow leaves, and very short catkins.

Yewleaf Willow is easily recognized by the needlelike leaves, resembling those of yews (although not evergreen). This species has the smallest leaves of any tree willow. A good soil binder, it is fairly drought-resistant and is an excellent browse for livestock.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub , Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Pubescence: Villose
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Texture: Papery
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Inflorescence: Catkin
Size Notes: 5-50 feet in height.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Mexico border region from Trans-Pecos Texas, west of SE. Arizona, and, south to Guatemala; at 3500-6000 (1067-1829 m).
Native Habitat: Along streams in foothills and mountains; in oak woodlands, sometimes in deserts and desert grasslands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Drought Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Mourning Cloak, Sylvan Hairstreak butterflies.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

Bibliography

Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

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

Metadata

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

Go back