Anderss.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149544
Element CodePDSAL02070
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 NamesLabrador willow (EN) Labrador Willow (EN) Saule à fruits argentés (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-21
Change Date2016-09-07
Edition Date2025-08-21
Edition AuthorsBliss, P. (2016), rev. N. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank ReasonsSalix argyrocarpa is a perennial shrub occurring in floodplains, lake and stream margins, tundra, wet meadows, bogs, and conifer forests of northern and eastern North America, from Nunuvut, Quebec, Labrador, and Newfoundland Island, Canada, south to Maine (where considered historical) and New Hampshire in the United States. There are between 81 to over 300 occurrences rangewide, though this species is potentially undercollected due to taxonomic challenges in Salix. Potential threats to this species include use of alpine areas for recreation, conversion of natural wetlands for development or agriculture, erosion, succession, invasive species, herbivory, and likely other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, moderate to high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, Salix argyrocarpa is considered secure. The few populations located in alpine regions in the United States are disjunct from Canadian occurrences and likely merit additional conservation and monitoring.
Range Extent CommentsSalix argyrocarpa occurs in northern and eastern North America, from Nunavut, Quebec, Labrador, and Newfoundland Island, Canada, south to Maine (where considered historical) and New Hampshire in the United States (FNA 2010, Native Plant Trust 2025). In New England, this species is known, or was known historically, from just a few high elevation peaks (Mt. Katahdin, Mt. Monroe, and Mt. Washington) (Native Plant Trust 2025, SEINet 2025). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are between 81 to over 300 occurrences rangewide, with the majority occurring in Quebec, Canada (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). This species is possibly undercollected due to real and perceived taxonomic challenges in Salix. In the field, Salix argyrocarpa can be difficult to distinguish from S. glauca and S. pellita, especially when vegetative (FNA 2010). This species also forms hybrids with S. herbacea, S. pedicellaris, and S. planifolia.
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Salix argyrocarpa is potentially threatened by the use of alpine areas for recreation, conversion of natural wetlands for development or agriculture, erosion, succession, invasive species, herbivory, and likely other threats in some places.