Woolly willow – description, flowering period and general distribution in Manitoba. The plants grow in harsh conditions

Woolly willow – description, flowering period and general distribution in Manitoba. Flowering plant among harsh northern landscapes

Woolly willow – description, flowering period and general distribution in Manitoba. Group of flowering plants, close-up

Common name:

Woolly willow

Scientific name:

Salix richardsonii.

Other common name(s):

Richardson's willow, Woolly willow.

Life form:

Shrub.

Flowering time:

no data.

Flowering period

in Manitoba for this plant is: May ↔ August.

NECTAR PRODUCTION:

No data

SOURCE FOR HONEY BEES:

Minor

General distribution:

Richardson's willow occurs from the Arctic Coast southward through most of central and south-central Alaska; it does not occur in the western Alaskan Peninsula or Kenai Peninsula. It extends eastward across northern Canada to the Baffin Islands; southward to northwest Hudson Bay; and west to northern British Columbia.

Map of distribution and habitat in Canada

This plant is present in at least 6 states/provinces in this country.

See The Map

Botanical description:

Richardson's willow is an erect, much-branched shrub usually forming dense clumps 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) tall, sometimes to 15 feet (4.5 m). Young twigs are stout and densely hairy; older twigs are glabrous. The bark of Richardson's willow is smooth. Shrubs are composed of light wood that becomes brittle with age; a single trunk rarely survives 60 years. In silty loam containing much organic matter, the roots of Richardson's willow are numerous in the top 7.5 inches (19 cm) of soil, but become less abundant at 9 inches (23 cm). In the frozen ground, roots of Richardson's willow do not exceed 9 inches (23 cm), but as the ground thaws roots will grow up to 17 inches (43 cm) deep.

Seasonal development:

Richardson's willow flowers from May through July or August. The fruit ripens soon after flowering, followed by seed dispersal in early to midsummer.

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List of honey plants that may be blooming now in Manitoba

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