Salix humilisIndiana Native
Prairie Willow

Family:

Salicaceae (Willow Family) 14

Genus:

Salix (Willow) 8

Plant Type:

Shrub/Tree 80

Growth Forms:

Upright 574

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Dioecious; hairy catkins (0.75-1.5") develop before the leaves emerge in the spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Grayish-green summer foliage; no appreciable fall color)

Stem Notes:

Gray to Greenish Brown (slender to slightly rough)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Dehiscent seed capsule, on females only)

Ultimate Height:

2-8 feet

Ultimate Spread:

4-8 feet

Bloom Times:

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Dry to medium 50

Soil Notes:

Prefers moist to slightly dry, loamy, sandy, or gravelly soils

Range:

United States and Canada

Maintenance:

Medium 83

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Alternate leaves 4" long by 1" wide. Narrowly ovate, oblanceolate, with smooth or slightly crenate margins (frilly). Upper surface of leaf is green grayish and slightly pubescent, lower side hairs are glaucus. Dioecious flowers.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Willow

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

Prairie Willow is more drought tolerant than other willows. Rabbits and deer eat the twigs. The nectar is used by bees to provide high quality honey.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Shrub

Leaves

Bark

Flowers

Flower Buds

Leaf

Bark

Leaf Buds

Winter Habit

Buds

Early Spring Interest

Flowers

Buds

Flowering Habit

When Salix humilis has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

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Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

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1 Salix humilis found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2012_00454*A	FPRD

Other plants like this Salix humilis (Prairie Willow)

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