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Carolina Willow

salix caroliniana

The Carolina Willow is a beautiful tree that loves wet places! Its long, slender leaves sway gently in the breeze, making it a favorite spot for birds and critters.

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, riverbanks, and marshy areas.

Appearance

The Carolina Willow is a tall shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. It has slender, reddish-brown twigs and bright green, lance-shaped leaves with finely serrated edges. In early spring, it produces fuzzy, yellowish-green catkins.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilySalicaceaeGenusSalix
Carolina Willow
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Carolina Willow

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Its fuzzy catkins aren't one flower, but hundreds of tiny ones packed together!

Some Native Americans used flexible willow branches to weave sturdy baskets!

This fast-growing tree can sometimes add over six feet to its height in just one year!

Willow bark contains a natural pain reliever, like an ancient version of aspirin!

Special abilities

Ability

Flexible Branches

Carolina Willow has incredibly flexible branches that bend easily, helping it survive strong winds and floods.

Ability

Rapid Growth

Carolina Willow can grow very quickly, helping it colonize new or disturbed wet areas fast.

Ability

Soil Stabilizer

Carolina Willow has extensive root systems that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion near water.

Ability

Early Bloomer

Carolina Willow can bloom early in spring, providing crucial nectar and pollen for early-rising insects.

Measurements & details

Height
300-1200 cm
Spread
300-800 cm
Flower Size
2-7 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

provides early spring nectar and pollen

eats

American beaver

Castor canadensis

chews bark and uses branches for food

eaten by

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses on its young leaves and twigs

shelters

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

builds nests in its branches

Traits

Also known as

SalixSwamp WillowWillow Tree

Collections

Safety

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Carolina Willow?

300-1200 cm

How wide does Carolina Willow spread?

300-800 cm

How big are the flowers on Carolina Willow?

2-7 cm

When does Carolina Willow bloom?

Early spring

Is Carolina Willow edible?

Yes

Is Carolina Willow toxic?

Mild

What is Carolina Willow's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Carolina Willow pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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