Identifying Willows
Here are some pointers to aid in identifying Willows.
Key points to observe when identifying Willows:
- size: shrub or tree
- flowering time: before, with, or after the leaves
- leaf shape
- arrangement of leaves (Willows have alternate leaves, but one Willow has leaves that are almost opposite)
- whether the leaves are smooth (glaucous) or hairy (pubescent)
- whether it has stipules
- habitat
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White Willow (Salix alba) - large tree
- flowers with leaves
- flowers: usually 2 stamens, sometimes 3 or 4
- usually a hybrid in Ontario with Crack Willow (Salix fragilis)
- often found in gardens, parks, etc.
- introduced (non-native)
- leaves linear
- habitat: along rivers
Peach-leaved Willow (Salix amygdaloides)
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) - large tree
- often in gardens, parks, etc.
- introduced (non-native)
- leaves long and narrow
- branches hanging down like hair
- distinctive
Bebb's Willow (Salix bebbiana) - flowers with leaves
- leaves dull green above
- leaves rugose and grey-pubescent with whitish hairs beneath
- variable species
- habitat: bogs
Sage-leaved Willow (Salix candida) - a low shrub < 1.5m tall
- flowers with leaves
- leaves densely pubescent
- leaves white-tomentose on lower surface
- leaf edges revolute (curled under)
- habitat: moist areas
Heart-leaved Willow (Salix cordata) - a thicket-forming shrub
- flowers with leaves
- has stipules
- young stems are pubescent
- leaves densely pubescent - lustrous hairy
- habitat: sand dunes, lake shores, river banks
Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) - large shrub, small tree
- flowers very early, before leaves; catkins densely hairy
- young leaves often with erddish hairs
- variable
- older leaves whitened underneath
- leaf teeth irregular
- habitat: damp meadows
Missouri Willow (Salix eriocephala) - meadium-to-large shrub
- flowers before or with leaves
- has stipules
- young leaves often erddish and pubescent
- habitat: bottomlands, riversides, etc.
Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua) - shrub
- variable
- long narrow leaves
- habitat: floodplains, flat, wet
Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) - medium-to-large tree
- flowers with leaves
- flowers: usually 2 stamens, sometimes 3-4 stamens
- sometimes has small stipules
- introduced: often in gardens, parks, etc.
- leaves linear
- twigs brittle at base, break off easily
- habitat: along rivers
- very similar to Black Willow (Salix nigra)
Prairie Willow (Salix humilis) - shrub
- flowers before leaves
- young leaves often with reddish hairs
- flowers early
- variable
Shining Willow (Salix lucida) - shrub or small tree
- flowers with leaves
- flowers have 3-6, often 5 stamens
- leaves shiny above and below
- young leaves often reddish
- has stipules
- glands on leaf margins, leaf stalks (petioles), and stipule margins
- habitat: wet areas
Laurel Willow (Salix pentandra) - shrub
- flowers have 5 stamens
- leaves shiny above
- leaves fragrant when crushed
- often in gardens, parks, etc.
Blue-leaved Willow (Salix myricoides) - shrub
- flowers with leaves or just before
- leaves often drying, blackish
- young leaves often with reddish hairs
Black Willow (Salix nigra) - tall shrub or tree
- flowers with leaves
- flowers have 3-6, often 5 stamens
- has stipules
- young leaves often reddish
- leaves linear
- branchlets brittle at base
- habitat: low ground, river flats
- very similar to Crack Willow (Salix fragilis)
Bog Willow (Salix pedicellaris) - low shrub < 1.5m tall
- flowers with leaves
- leaves leathery, glaucous, with prominent veinaton
- habitat: bogs
Slender Willow (Salix petiolaris) - shrub
- flowers with leaves
- leaves shiny above
- leaves have minute teeth
- young leaves often have reddish hairs and thinly silky-hairy beneath
- leaves linear
- young twigs light greenish, becoming dark brown to nearly black
- leaves often overlapping on stem
- common in southern Ontario
- habitat: wet areas; also dry upland places
Basket Willow (Salix purpurea) - shrub
- flowers with leaves or just before
- leaves appear to be opposite (sub-opposite) - only Willow like this
- immature branches usually dark purple
- leaves purple-tinged
- often in gardens, parks, etc.
Balsam Willow (Salix pyrifolia) - shrub
- flowers with leaves
- leaves fragrant (balsam odour)
- leaves transluscent when young
- leaves roundish
- young leaves often tinged purplish-red
- habitat: bogs
Autumn Willow (Salix serissima) - shrub
- flowers after leaves - last to flower of all Ontario Willows
- leaves shiny above
- seed capsules often persist into autumn
- habitat: bogs
Basket Willow (Salix viminalis) - shrub or small tree
- flowers before leaves
- leaves densely pubescent
- leaves long and very narrow
- often in gardens, parks, etc.
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