Species PlantsMeadow Willow

Meadow Willow

Salix petiolaris

CommonPlant
Illustration of Meadow Willow (Salix petiolaris)

Meadow Willow is a shrubby, multi-stemmed native willow of wet meadows and lakeshores across northern North America. Growing 3–10 feet tall with narrow lance-shaped leaves, it often forms dense thickets in wet, open areas. Meadow Willow blooms in early spring with silky gray catkins that mature to yellow. Like all willows, it provides important early-season pollen for native bees. Dense thickets provide important nesting habitat for yellow warblers and other shrub-nesting songbirds.

Habitat
Found in wet meadows, lake shores, stream banks, and open bogs across northern North America.
Diet
Early spring pollen for native bees; nesting cover for yellow warblers and song sparrows.
How common
Common

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