PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Silky Willow (Salix sericea)

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Photo by USDA-NRCS

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Silky Willow (Salix sericea), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in acidic, usually moist, sandy or rocky areas near large rivers. Blooming occurs throughout May, fruiting throughout June. The optimal identification period for this species is May through June.

Salix coactilis

 
 
 

Silky willow is a shrub with unisexual catkins (aka aments) 1-4 cm. Pistillate catkins have pubescent ovaries and styles less than 0.5mm long. Staminate catkins have 2 filaments, yellow anthers less than 0.7mm, and develop on branchlets with green bracts. Its fruits are ovoid-oblong, 3-5mm, blunt, silky, with long, soft, slender hairs. Leaves are alternate, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 6-14cm long by 1-3cm wide, gradually tapering to a sharp point, forming concave sides along the tip, wedge-shaped at the base, closely glandular-serrate, dark green and minutely hairy to smooth above, waxy-white and silky below.

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.

Silky willow is found in acidic, usually moist, sandy or rocky areas near large rivers.

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.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Avoid rapid and dramatic reductions in canopy cover and, basal area, in wet areas to reduce risk of swamping.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

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.