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Salix bebbiana
Salix bebbiana Sarg.
Bebb Willow, Gray Willow, Long-beaked Willow
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Synonym(s): Salix bebbiana var. capreifolia, Salix bebbiana var. depilis, Salix bebbiana var. luxurians, Salix bebbiana var. perrostrata, Salix bebbiana var. projecta, Salix depressa ssp. rostrata, Salix livida var. occidentalis, Salix livida var. rostrata, Salix perrostrata, Salix rostrata, Salix rostrata var. capreifolia, Salix rostrata var. luxurians, Salix rostrata var. perrostrata, Salix rostrata var. projecta, Salix starkeana ssp. bebbiana, Salix vagans var. occidentalis, Salix vagans var. rostrata
USDA Symbol: SABE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A narrow, somewhat columnar-shaped shrub or small tree, 20-30 ft. tall. The single or multiple trunks have maroonish bark. Catkins appear before the silvery-gray foliage emerges. Fall color is insignificant.
Bebb Willow is the most important "diamond willow," a term applied to several species which sometimes have diamond-shaped patterns on their trunks. These are caused by fungi, usually in shade or poor sites. The contrasting whitish and brownish stems are carved into canes, lamps, posts, furniture, and candleholders. Forms willow thickets as a weed on uplands after forest fires. Named for Michael Schuck Bebb (1833-95), U.S. specialist on willows.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 feet tall.
Fruit: Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Nf. to AK, s. to DE, n. IN, n.e. IA, n.e. SD, ID & e. OR; also Rocky Mts.
Native Habitat: Wet lowlands; lake & stream edges; drier, upland sites
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil Description: Wet or damp soils.
Conditions Comments: Short-lived and fast-growing. Susceptible to insect, disease, and wind damage.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Valuable to songbirds, waterfowl and small mammals.Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Mourning Cloak, Viceroy
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Honey Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) ![]() Larval Host |
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) ![]() Larval Host |
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Decline in willow tree in West Virginia
June 15, 2008
I planted a willow tree about three years ago and it was progressing just beautifully with full leaves this spring in a nice green color. We staked it back about three weeks so it would grow straight...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FAC | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
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
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Salix bebbiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Salix bebbiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salix bebbiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-11Research By: TWC Staff