Arroyo willow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arroyo willow |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salix
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| Species: |
lasiolepis
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| Natural range | |
The arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) is a type of willow tree or shrub. It grows naturally in western North America.
Contents
Where It Grows
The arroyo willow is found in many parts of California. This includes the California Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada mountains. It also grows north into Washington state. To the south, it reaches Baja California in Mexico. Eastward, you can find it in states like Idaho, Utah, and Texas. It even grows in Coahuila, Mexico.
Its Home (Habitat)
This plant often grows near water. You can find it in riparian zones, which are areas along rivers and streams. It also lives along pond shores, in marshes, and in wetlands. The arroyo willow grows in many different plant communities. These include chaparral (shrublands) and oak woodlands. It also thrives in coast redwood forests and grasslands.
Allergies
The arroyo willow can cause strong allergic reactions in some people.
How It Pollinates
This plant is pollinated in the spring. The exact time depends on how far north it is and how high up it grows.
What It Looks Like
The arroyo willow is a deciduous plant. This means it loses its leaves every year. It can be a large shrub or a small tree with many trunks. It can grow up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
When the new shoots first grow, they are yellowish-brown and very hairy. The leaves are long and wide, usually 3.5 to 12.5 centimeters (about 1.4 to 5 inches) long. They are green on top and a grayish-green underneath. The undersides of the leaves are covered with white or rusty-colored hairs. These hairs slowly fall off during the summer.
The flowers grow in yellow clusters called catkins. These catkins are 1.5 to 7 centimeters (about 0.6 to 2.8 inches) long. They appear in early spring, usually from February to May.
How People Use It
The indigenous peoples of California used the arroyo willow in many ways. They used it as a traditional medicinal plant. For example, they made drinks from the leaves, bark, or flowers to help with different illnesses. The inner bark was strong and used to make rope. The young shoots were used to weave baskets. People also used branches to make large baskets for storing acorns.
See also
In Spanish: Salix lasiolepis para niños
