HOME • return to plant lists: habitats • all plants • riparian • woodland • sun • subalpine • butterflies • birds

Hooker Willow · Salix hookeriana

Description: Deciduous shrub or small tree 10 to 30 feet tall. Leaves are long and narrow - as much as 4 times as long as wide, with glossy upper surfaces. Catkins appear March to April, on short stalks; male catkins are stout, to 4 cm long, female catkins to 4-12 cm long with dense, cottony seeds. Hooker's willow is common in coastal habitats, and makes a wonderful landscape plant for coastal gardens. It is also found inland in swamps, on streambanks and along moist roadsides. It is widespread in valleys west of the Cascades, and as far north as Mt. Rainier, where it can be found growing at moderate elevations. The native plant gardener will appreciate its tolerance for wet and dry conditions, as well as its wildlife values. As with many other willows, it helps control erosion and shades fish habitat when planted near water, its stems and foliage are enjoyed by deer and rabbits, small game-birds and songbirds eat the catkins and buds and the insects that live among the leaves and branches, butterflies and bees enjoy its nectar, and some native butterfly larvae use willows as their host plant.