Classification and Range

Willows belong to a large family of plants, Salicaceae, which includes 350 species found nearly worldwide, but primarily in northern temperate and arctic regions. The genus Salix consists primarily of small trees and shrubs which grow in wet soils. 33 species in the Salix genus are native to Alaska. In Alaska, willows are distributed almost throughout the entire state. Willow shrubs grow even beyond treeline in northern Alaska. Some of the more common and distinctive willows in Alaska include Sitka (Salix sitchensis) and Scouler willows (Salix scouleriana) in the southeast and feltleaf (Salix alaxensis), diamondleaf (Salix planifolia Pursh ssp. pulchra) and Bebb willows (Salix bebbiana) in central Alaska.

Habitat

In Alaska, willows are distributed almost throughout the entire state. Willow shrubs grow even beyond treeline in northern Alaska. Some of the more common and distinctive willows in Alaska include Sitka (Salix sitchensis) and Scouler willows (Salix scouleriana) in the southeast and feltleaf (Salix alaxensis), diamondleaf (Salix planifolia Pursh ssp. pulchra) and Bebb willows (Salix bebbiana) in central Alaska.

Physical Characteristics

Willows are deciduous shrubs with slender, wiry twigs and leaves that are generally long and narrow. Willow flowers are borne in narrow catkins between one and three inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) long which resemble upright tassels.

Willows are dioecious, which means that all the male-flowered catkins (stalk with many flowers) grow on one plant and the female-flowered on another.

Conservation Connection

Willows grow well in wet places or areas that receive seasonal flooding. Because of this they play an important role erosion control along streams. Removal of willow from streamsides has caused serious erosion and silt runoff that has deteriorated water quality and the health of aquatic life.