(Barrenground Willow)
Salix brachycarpa, Pistillate Catkins, Blue Lakes, Summit Co. 9996
Salix brachycarpa, Pistillate Catkins, Blue Lakes, Summit Co. 0028
Salix brachycarpa, French Pass, Mt. Baldy, Summit Co. 0085
Salix brachycarpa, (front) and S. planifolia (rear), Blue Lakes, Summit Co. 9990
| Scientific Name | Salix brachycarpa | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SABR |
| Common Name | Barrenground Willow, Short-fruit Willow | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 22510 |
| Family | Salicaceae (Willow) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane to alpine (7000 to 13500 ft.); wet areas in meadows and along streams and ponds. Plant: Bush up to 6 feet tall; erect or sprawling, stout branches; overall grayish-green appearance; new-growth stems are red-brown and densely hairy. Leaves: Upper surface shiny, pale bluish-green, nearly smooth or with small hairs, whitish and wooly underneath, oblong, elliptic, obovate or narrowly oblanceolate; 0.8 to 1.2 inches long and 0.2 to 0.6 inches wide; on early leaves, stipules are absent or rudimentary, on newer leaves they are rudimentary or leaf-like. Inflorescence: Female catkins less than 0.8 inch long and rounded; male catkins less than 0.5 inch long with yellow/reddish anthers. Bloom Period: May and June. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "A Guide to Rocky Mountain Plants" by Nelson and Williams, E-Flora BC and SEINet. Notes: Often found growing together with S. planifolia. See photo above. Willow species are difficult to differentiate and there may be errors in the IDs on these images. If you see an error, please let me know. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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