Home/Species/ Cascade Willow

Salix cascadensis

Cockerell

Cascade Willow

G5Secure Found in 6 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132280

Element CodePDSAL020N0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomPlantae

PhylumAnthophyta

ClassDicotyledoneae

OrderSalicales

FamilySalicaceae

GenusSalix

Other Common Names

cascade willow (EN) Saule des monts Cascades (FR)

Concept Reference

Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Taxonomic Comments

According to Argus in Douglas, 1992 (B92DOU01AKUS) a "rare form with glabrous pistils, which occurs amongst more typical plants, has been named var. thompsonii."

Conservation Status

Rank MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2016-07-11

Change Date2016-07-11

Range Extent Comments

B.C. to WA, east to MT, WY, CO, and UT. Sparse.

Ecology & Habitat

Description

Cascades Willow is a low, mat-forming shrub with prostrate stems that arise from creeping underground branches. The firm, alternate, narrowly elliptic leaves are 10-15 mm long, have short petioles, mostly inconspicuous lateral veins, and entire margins. Foliage is sparsely long-hairy when young but becomes glabrous with age. Flowers are without petals and sepals and are borne in dense spikes (aments or catkins) at the tips of lateral branches; males and females occur on separate plants. Male flowers have 2 stamens. Female aments are 1-2 cm long with dark, long-hairy scales subtending each of the 12-25 ovaries. Fruits are glabrous to long-hairy, lance-shaped capsules that are 4-5 mm long.

Diagnostic Characteristics

SALIX ROTUNDIFOLIA and S. RETICULATA have elliptic leaves with more rounded tips. S. ARCTICA has larger female aments and leaves that are lighter beneath than above.

Other Nations (2)

CanadaN5

Province	Rank	Native
British Columbia	S5	Yes

United StatesN4

Province	Rank	Native
Oregon	S4	Yes
Montana	S2	Yes
Washington	SNR	Yes
Alaska	SNR	Yes
Wyoming	S3	Yes
Colorado	S1	Yes
Idaho	SNR	Yes
Utah	SNR	Yes

Plant Characteristics

Economic Value (Genus)Yes

Roadless Areas (6)

Washington (3)

Area	Forest	Acres
Mt. Baker North	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	16,873
Mt. Baker West	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	25,390
Teanaway	Wenatchee National Forest	72,849

Wyoming (3)

Area	Forest	Acres
French Creek	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	5,928
Libby Flats	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	11,107
Snowy Range	Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest	29,660

References (4)

Achuff, P. L. and L. S. Roe. 1992. Botanical survey of the Goat Flat proposed Research Natural Area, Deerlodge National Forest. Unpublished report to the Deerlodge National Forest. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 31 pp.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2010. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 7. Magnoliophyta: Salicaceae to Brassicaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxii + 797 pp.
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Vanderhorst, J. 1994. [unpublished memo of November 13, 1994 to B. Heidel]. 6 pp.