Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Salix breweri is a species of willow known by the common name Brewer's willow. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the serpentine soils of the Coast Ranges in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a riparian shrub growing one to four meters in height. The yellowish or reddish brown stems are lightly hairy in texture, the small twigs coated in velvety fibers. The leaves are generally lance-shaped, smooth-edged or gently toothed, and partially rolled under along the edges. The leaves are hairy, with the lower surfaces often quite woolly. Mature leaves may be 14 centimeters long or more. The inflorescence is a catkin which develops before the plant produces leaves. The catkins are up to 5 or 6 centimeters long, the female ones lengthening further as the fruits develop.

Plant type

Tree, Shrub

Size

3 - 13 ft Tall

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Cream, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

High

Ease of care

Moderate

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment. Use fresh seeds (usually only viable a few days). Seeds should not be covered or pressed into a medium. Seedbed should be kept saturated for the first month. Easily propogated from cuttings.

Sunset Zones

4, 5*, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17*, 22, 23, 24

Site type

streamsides

Plant communities

Foothill Woodland, Wetland-Riparian

Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 158 likely

Confirmed Likely

Luteus Dart Moth

Abagrotis trigona

Acerra normalis

Sallow Button

Acleris hastiana

Frosty Dagger Moth

Acronicta brumosa