Crack Willow
Salix x rubens, Salix alba, Salix fragilis
Washington State Classification
Monitor List
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Dioecious trees, 10-25 m tall, not colonial; branches erect, flexible or somewhat brittle at base; twigs grey- to red-brown, or golden-yellow, densely hairy.
Leaves
Alternate, simple; narrowly oblong to lance-shaped, 6-12 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, lower surface glaucous, silky to nearly smooth, hairs white, upper surface dull, silky to nearly smooth, margins toothed, base pointed to wedge-shaped, tips pointed to tapering; leaf stalks with glandular dots or lobes at top; stipules leaflike.
Flowers
Unisexual, lacking sepals and petals, borne in catkins which flower as leaves emerge, the catkins slender, on leafy twigs; floral bracts pale, hairs straight, female bracts deciduous; stamens 2; ovaries 1, smooth; styles 0.16-0.44 mm long.
Fruit & Seeds
Capsules which split open to release the seeds, each of which is surrounded by a tuft of hairs; stalks 0.2-0.8 mm long.
Impact
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact Sofia Sherman to report locations or for more information.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Salix x rubens is documented in Yakima, Klickitat, Kittitas, Benton, Chelan, and Grant counties. Salix alba is documented in Yakima, King, Whatcom, and Franklin counties. Salix fragilis is documented in Klickitat and Benton counties.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Vegetatively from broken branches and stems, as well as rhizomes and seed
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