Salix exigua

• Native to most of North America and found in every county in California
• Deciduous shrub reaching 13-23 feet in height
• Flowers are produced in catkins in late spring, after the leaves appear
• It is moisture-loving and not drought tolerant
• One of the smaller members of the genus, making it suitable for small gardens and tight spaces
• Spreads by basal shoots so it will eventually spread to occupy any wet soil that it can reach.

Photo (c) 1998 California Academy of Sciences – some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)