Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Salicaceae (Willow)
Also in this family:
Almond Willow, Aspen, Balm of Gilead, Bay Willow, Black Italian Poplar, Black Poplar, Common Osier, Crack Willow, Creeping Willow, Dark-leaved Willow, Downy Willow, Eared Willow, Eastern Balsam Poplar, Goat Willow, Green-leaved Willow, Grey Poplar, Grey Willow, Holme Willow, Hybrid Black Poplar, Lombardy Poplar, Mountain Willow, Net-leaved Willow, North American Cottonwood, Olive Willow, Purple Willow, Railway Poplar, Rusty Willow, Silvery Creeping Willow, Tea-leaved Willow, Violet Willow, White Poplar, White Willow, Whortle-leaved Willow, Woolly Willow
Maximum Size:
20 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Mountains, rocky places.
Salix herbacea is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The flowers appear in late spring to early summer (typically May to July), emerging before or with the leaves. Male catkins are small, oval, and red, turning yellow as stamens develop pollen; female catkins are greenish, later elongating slightly as seeds develop. Unlike many willows, the catkins are tiny and close to the ground, often hidden in vegetation.
Fruit:
On female plants, the catkins develop into small seed capsules, which split open when mature to release tiny seeds with silky hairs that aid in wind dispersal. This is typical of the Salix genus. The seeds ripen by late summer but have short viability, needing immediate germination in moist conditions. These fruits are not edible and are not foraged.
Leaves:
Leaves are rounded to broadly oval, only 1–2 cm across, with a finely toothed margin and a glossy dark green upper surface. The underside is paler and slightly hairy. Leaves grow on very short stems, often appearing to sit directly on the ground. This ground-hugging growth is a key identification feature and an adaptation to high altitude, windy environments.
Fragrance:
There is no noticeable floral fragrance from Salix herbacea. The catkins are primarily wind- or insect-pollinated, and the leaves and stems are not aromatic. Any scent would be minimal and undetectable in the field.
Other Names:
Least Willow, Snowbed Willow.
Summary
Salix herbacea, commonly known as the dwarf willow, least willow or snowbed willow, is a species of tiny creeping willow (family Salicaceae) adapted to survive in harsh environments. It is native to Arctic regions, typically found in mossy alpine areas on granitic, quartzite and limestone substrates. It is the only willow with an amphi-Atlantic distribution, with disjunct populations occurring as far west as Great Bear and Great Slave lakes. Salix herbacea is a long-lived, clonal, dioecious, prostrate dwarf shrub, which can grow up to 10 cm in height. It produces small, scale-like leaves which are gray-green to yellow-green in color. The leaves turn yellow in autumn and are shed in winter. Flowers are yellowish green, and the fruits are small, reddish-brown capsules. Salix herbacea is threatened in New England and is listed as a species of special concern in Maine and New Hampshire.
Blog
Dwarf Willow: A Tiny but Mighty Shrub
The Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea) is a small shrub that is native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Despite its small size, it is a tough and resilient plant that is capable of thriving in harsh, cold environments.
This shrub can grow up to 20 cm tall and has narrow, dark green leaves that are covered in fine hairs. In the spring and early summer, it produces small, yellow catkins that are an important food source for many species of insects, including bees and butterflies.
Dwarf Willow is a type of willow that belongs to the Salicaceae family, which includes over 300 species of shrubs and trees. This plant is also known by other common names, including Arctic Willow and Alpine Willow.
One of the key adaptations that allow Dwarf Willow to survive in cold, harsh environments is its ability to grow in nutrient-poor soils. Unlike many other plants, Dwarf Willow has a shallow root system that allows it to quickly absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. This makes it an ideal plant for growing in rocky or sandy soils that are typically low in organic matter.
In addition to its tolerance for harsh conditions, Dwarf Willow is also a valuable plant for wildlife. It provides food and shelter for many species of birds and mammals, including the Arctic Fox and the Snowy Owl. The shrub is also an important source of nectar for bees and butterflies during the spring and early summer, when many other plants have not yet bloomed.
Despite its many benefits, Dwarf Willow is not commonly found in gardens or landscaping projects due to its small size and slow growth rate. However, it can be an excellent choice for rock gardens, wildlife gardens, and other naturalistic landscapes where its tough and resilient nature is valued.
In conclusion, Dwarf Willow is a tiny but mighty shrub that is well-suited to cold and harsh environments. Whether you are looking to attract wildlife to your garden or simply to add a touch of nature to your landscape, this plant is definitely worth considering.
Wild Flower Web