Willow, Bebb - S. bebbiana

Shrub-type; A shrub to small tree, 4-9 meters (13 to 30 feet), with stems between 1 to 2 dm (4 to 8 inches) thick. It has short brown slightly reddish branches that have long hairs that are wavy or curly, tangled, and either tightly or loosely appressed; leaves are narrow with a glaucous lower surface, entire margins (usually), and a distinctive shape. The shape is narrow at the bottom, wide about 2/3 up the leaf, and a point at the top; can be confused with Scouler's willow (see Scouler's Willow). Bebb's Willow is found from 1010 to 2410 meters (3300 to 7900 feet) associated with the Douglas fir zone and non-subalpine mountain big sage habitat. Rarely is it the dominant willow. It is usually found with quaking aspen, water birch, and black cottonwood. In low elevations, it grows in moist to wet soils that are heavily organic to silty, sandy or gravelly. While in higher elevations, it is found on dry riparian sites, but is rarely found on upland sites.

Field propagation by dormant unrooted hardwood cuttings is moderately successful, although it does not have a high establishment rate.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007