White Willow Salix alba var. sericea
Other plants called White Willow:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-iks AL-ba ser-ISS-ee-uh
- Description
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An introduced species from Europe that has naturalized throughout NC. They grow 60-75' tall on average, the crown rounded with low, pendulous branches. The leaves are long and thin with serrated edges, the undersides silvery-white and downy. The stems dark green to brown and covered in thin hairs. It has a unique feature compared to other willows: small round "glands" where the petiole and leaf base align.
White Willow trees prefer full sun and need ample moisture to properly grow and survive. They are often found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds in the wild for this reason.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- alba
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A capsule that releases tiny, downy seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Long and narrow (to 4") with serrated edges. True to their name, the green leaves have starkly white to grey undersides covered in thick down. They can be identified from other willow species by the small disks at the base of each leaf blade.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in a single cap like scale
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The branchlets are dark green to brown and covered in silky hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
