Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Sierra Willow (Salix orestera) is a native shrub that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the White and Inyo Mountains, the High Sierra Nevada and Sierra Nevada East regions. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 10 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in meadows and wet places, at elevations from 7400-12000 feet.

Plant type

Tree

Size

7 - 10 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow, Cream

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

High

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

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.

Site type

Meadows, wet places

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 155 likely

Confirmed Likely

Luteus Dart Moth

Abagrotis trigona

Acerra normalis

Frosty Dagger Moth

Acronicta brumosa

Fingered Dagger Moth

Acronicta dactylina