PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Satiny Willow (Salix pellita)

Sali_pell1.jpg

 

 

 

 

8862.jpg

Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Satiny Willow (Salix pellita), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found on sand and gravel shores in Wisconsin. Elsewhere in the Great Lakes region it is found along sandy riverbanks and rock splash pools. Blooming occurs throughout May, fruiting throughout June. The optimal identification period for this species is May through June.

 
 
 

Satiny willow is a shrub with unisexual flowers. Catkins (aka aments) are early-developing, sessile or on bracteate peduncles to 1cm. Pistillate catkins are 2-5cm, style 0.8-1.2mm. Its fruits are lanceolate, 4-6mm, sessile or subsessile, and silky. Leaves are alternate, lance-linear to lanceolate or linear-oblanceolate, 4-13cm long by 8-22mm wide, gradually tapering to a sharp point forming concave sides along the tip, almost smooth with subimpressed veins above, waxy-white and densely satiny-silky beneath, becoming almost smooth. Primary lateral veins are numerous, closely parallel, and diverge at a wide angle.

This genus is notoriously difficult to distinguish to the specific level when not in flower.

Blooming occurs throughout May, fruiting throughout June.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is May through June.

Associated species include Ammophila breviligulata, Lathyrus japonicus, Epilobium angustifolium, and Acer rubrum.

Satiny willow is found on sand and gravel shores in Wisconsin. Elsewhere in the Great Lakes region it is found along sandy river banks and rock splash pools.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

This species overwinters above ground, meaning that seasonal restrictions like conducting the a project on frozen ground will not result in avoidance. Therefore, known individual plant locations should be avoided year-round. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid disturbance to shorelines and the forest-beach interface.

Avoid any activities that destabilize the dune, including the use of off-road vehicles, removal of native vegetation, and pedestrian recreational overuse.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.