Pacific Willow
Pacific Willow
Pacific Willow Catkins
Pacific Willow Bark
Pacific Willow Leaves

About

Pacific willow is a full sized tree reaching 2ft in trunk diameter but shrub sized at higher elevations. It is the tallest native willow species of willow in British Columbia. Habitats include sandbars, gravel, sandy or silty soil, growing alongside red alder and black cottonwood.

Bark is smooth when young and shallow in thickness. Young growth is red to yellowish brown and hairy, becoming smooth and green with age; the twigs being relatively stout. As the tree matures, its bark becomes darker and vertically ridged. Leaves are lance shaped and very finely toothed; older leaves are smooth. Two or more glands at the leaf base are an identifying feature of the species. Male and female catkins are long and thick. The females produce light, fluffy seeds, dispersed by wind or water.

Pacific willow is planted for erosion control to stabilize river banks and is a food source for beaver, deer, and elk. Used by Native Americans, and like all willows, the twigs produce salicylic acid (asprin) which can be used for medicine.

References

Fryer, J. (2015). Salix lucida, shining willow. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/salluc/all.html [2020, October 19].

Labbe, J. (1998). Salix lucida (ssp. lasiandra) - Pacific Willow. Retrieved from http://web.pdx.edu/~maserj/ESR410/SalixLucida.htm

Plants For A Future. (n.d.). Salix lucida - Muhl. Retrieved from https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Salix+lucida

United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Salix lucida Muhl. shining willow. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SALU

No seeds available for this plant at this time.
No plants available for this plant at this time.

Shipping

We currently ship seeds to all Canadian provinces and ship plants just within the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Seeds ship year-round and usually take a few days (or longer if you are ordering from a distant province). It usually takes 2-5 business days in the mail for plant orders once shipped. Plants are generally available from May to September and can be reserved during off season; Shipping costs are calculated during checkout. Seed orders over $100 ship free! See Shipping for more details.