Salix discolor
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-iks DIS-kol-or
- Description
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Salix discolor, the American pussy willow or glaucous willow, is a species of willow native to North America. Rapid spreading shallow root systems may clog sewers or drains and make gardening underneath the plants difficult. It can be severely pruned after flowering. Tolerates deer, erosion, wet soil, and black walnut
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- discolor
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans are known to have used this plant for medicinal purposes. It was also used in making rope, baskets, containers, fasteners, cooking tools, and in making netting.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- 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 specilized 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gray/Silver
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Silky gray male flowers in spring before leaves emerge on separate male and female plants
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple leaves; 3 to 4 in. long; gray-green underside; non-showy fall color
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
