Anderss.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.138979
Element CodePDSAL022G0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSalicales
FamilySalicaceae
GenusSalix
Other Common Namesbalsam willow (EN) Saule baumier (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 Date2025-06-09
Change Date1984-09-06
Edition Date2025-06-09
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSalix pyrifolia is a perennial shrub or tree occurring in fens, along the margins of lakes and sloughs, and treed bogs of northern North America, from Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada south to British Columbia, Minnesota, and New York in the United States. There are over 500 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Salix pyrifolia is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSalix pyrifolia occurs in northern North America, from Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador south to British Columbia, Minnesota, and New York in Canada and the United States (FNA 2010). Range extent was estimated to be over 6.5 million square kilometers 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 more than 500 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Salix pyrifolia is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, they are considered negligible given the broad range and large number of occurrences of the species and its somewhat flexible and abundant habitat, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.