Salix lasiolepis (arroyo willow) is a species of willow native to western North America.USDA: Salix lasiolepis
Distribution The core range of the arroyo willow includes most of California, including the California Coast Ranges, Arizona, Klamath Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Transverse Ranges.Calflora: Salix lasiolepis It extends north into Washington, south into Baja California, and east into Idaho, Utah, Texas, and Coahuila (México).
Habitat The plant is commonly found growing in riparian zones in canyons and valleys, along pond shores, and in marshes and wetlands.Salix lasiolepis Shrubland Alliance California Native Plant Society. Retrieved 24 April 2019. It is found in many plant communities, including: chaparral, oak woodland, mixed evergreen forest, coast redwood forest, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, lodgepole pine forest, and grasslands.
Allergenicity Salix lasiolepis is a severe allergen.Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepis) Retrieved 24 April 2019.
Pollination Occurs in following seasons depending on latitude and elevation: Spring.
It is primarily pollinated through insects.
Description Salix lasiolepis is a deciduous large shrub or small multi−trunked tree growing to tall. The shoots are yellowish brown and densely hairy when young. The leaves are long and broadly lanceolate in shape. They are green above and glaucous green below. The undersides are covered with whitish or rusty hairs which gradually wear off during the summer.
The morphology of its leaves is varied; at maturity its leaf margins can be revolute, entire, or serrate. Its apices can be acute to obtuse. The stipules of S. lasiolepis can appear absent or leaf-like, and its petioles are hairy.
The flowers are unisexual. Male (staminate) flowers feature yellow catkins long, and female (pistillate) flowers have green catkins long. Both are produced in early spring. The bloom period is February to May. Precocious inflorescence has been observed in the species, meaning that the flowers develop before the leaves.
Varieties Salix lasiolepis var. bigelovii — Bigelow's willow, endemic to California and Oregon.USDA: Salix lasiolepis var. bigelovii Currently reclassified as species Salix lasiolepis.ITIS Salicaceae of North America Update, database (version 2011)ITIS: Current name of Salix lasiolepis var. bigelovii. accessed 22 March 2016.Jepson eFlora: Current name of Salix lasiolepis var. bigelovii . accessed 22 March 2016. Salix lasiolepis var. lasiolepis — Tracy Willow, endemic to narrow Pacific coastal zone in NW California and SW Oregon.NPIN: Salix lasiolepis var. lasiolepis USDA: Salix lasiolepis var. lasiolepis Currently reclassified as species Salix lasiolepis.ITIS: Current name of Salix lasiolepis var. lasiolepis. accessed 22 March 2016.Jepson eFlora: Current name of Salix lasiolepis var. lasiolepis. accessed 22 March 2016.
Ecology S. lasiolepis serves as a host plant for various insects, including Lorquin's admiral, mourning cloak, and western tiger swallowtail butterflies.
Its seeds are tiny, measuring approximately and are distributed by wind.
Uses The indigenous peoples of California used the species in various ways. As a traditional medicinal plant, infusions of the leaves, bark, or flowers were used for several disease remedies. The bark has been used to make tea to help with pains and fevers.
The inner bark was used to make rope. Shoots were used in coiled and twined basketry, and branches were used to make acorn storage baskets.University of Michigan at Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany of Salix lasiolepis The leaves were used to thatch ramadas.
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References
External links
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center−NPIN database