Scientific Family
Salicaceae
Synonyms
Salix argophylla Salix exigua var. angustissima, Salix exigua var. columbiana, Salix exigua var. luteosericea, Salix exigua var. nevadensis (see USDA)
Other common names
narrow-leaf willow
narrowleaf willow
desert willow
Hinds' willow
sandbar willow
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Deciduous shrub; rarely tree-like. Often forms thickets of clustered, slender, upright stems. Lateral roots can produce sprouts in profusion, often in long rows, shoots elongate rapidly in spring. The spreading habitat can help stabalize banks.
To 20 feet, bark yellow to reddish-brown. Leaves alternate, smooth to finely toothed margins, 7 or 8 times as long as wide, bluish-green above, silvery fine hairs beneath. Stipules absent or rudimentary. Catkins on short leafy branchlets, stamens 2.
Height
20 feet
Width
varies
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in thickets along streams and riverbanks, bars and shores of streams and lakes, on silty, sandy, or gravelly substrates.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
9500
Leaves
Leaf color
Green to grayish-green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Leaves are very long and narrow, lance-like to linear, edges smooth or finely toothed. Leaves to 2 to 5 inches long by 1/4 inch wide. Green on upper surface to grayish-green underside. Smooth on top surface, paler and usually hairy on bottom surface.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellowish-white
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Male catkins are 1 to 2-1/2 inches long on slender stems; developing with leaves in the spring. Each female flower is subtended by a greenish, whitish, yellowish, or light brown bract which falls off after flowering. Male and female on separate trees.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Yellowish
Fruit type
Capsule
Pointed, 1/4 inch pear-shaped capsules in narrow clusters. Each capsule splits into 2 sections releasing numerous small cottony seeds.