Salix hastata

Names

The Latin specific epithet hastata means "spear-shaped".

Description

This willow varies widely in appearance, depending on environmental conditions. In general, it is a shrub growing 1 to 2 meters tall, but known to reach 4 meters. It forms thickets. The deciduous, alternately arranged leaves are up to 9.2 centimeters long. The leaves are often hairy, especially along the underside. The species is dioecious, with male and female reproductive parts occurring on separate plants. The inflorescence is a catkin up to 5 centimeters long. The flowers are pollinated mainly by bees. The seeds germinate immediately upon contacting the substrate.

Habitat

Thickets of the shrub occur on slopes and riverbanks in the Arctic, in alpine climates, and on tundra. It is a pioneer species, colonizing recently cleared habitat, such as floodplains that have recently been scoured by water. It also grows in recently burned areas. Associated species include Barclay willow (Salix barclayi), Alaska willow (Salix alaxensis), tealeaf willow (S. pulchra), Richardson willow (S. lanata ssp. richardsonii), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), alder (Alnus spp.), sedges (Carex ssp.), and mosses (Polytrichum ssp.).

Halberd willow and Barclay willow are similar in appearance and distribution, and misidentifications have been reported in some cases in Alaska; the two species can be distinguished by the presence of sparse reddish hairs on the main leaf vein of Halberd willow. These two species of willow can also form natural hybrids with each other.

Varieties

This willow species has a few recognized varieties:

• S. hastata var. hastata L.
• S. hastata var. subintegrifolia Flod.
• S. hastata var. subalpina Anderss.
• S. hastata var. alpestris Anderss.

S. hastata var. farriae is now considered a distinct species known as Farr's willow (S. farriae).

Ecology

Halberd willow is a food source for a number of mammals and birds. It is, however, not considered an important browse for moose, as it is not as palatable compared to other willows such as Alaska willow, tealeaf willow, sandbar willow (S. interior), and littletree willow (S. arbusculoides). On the Alaska North Slope, low-growing willows such as Halberd, tealeaf, sandbar, and littletree willow are usually covered by snow during the winter, so they are not a winter food source for moose.

Cultivation

This species is cultivated in parks and gardens. The cultivar 'Wehrhahnii' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Other uses

Native Americans used parts of willows, including this species, for medicinal purposes, basket weaving, to make bows and arrows, and for building animal traps. In Yukon, willow leaves were chewed to treat mosquito bites and bee stings, as well as stomach aches.

References

References

1. [http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Salix+hastata ''Salix hastata''.] The Nature Conservancy.
2. Esser, Lora L. 1992. [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/salhas/all.html ''Salix hastata''.] In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
3. [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200005849 ''Salix hastata''.] Flora of North America.
4. Harrison, Lorraine. (2012). "RHS Latin for gardeners". Mitchell Beazley.
5. (1987). "Planting willow for moose habitat restoration on the North Slope of Alaska, U.S.A.". Arctic and Alpine Research.
6. Collet, Dominique M.. (2004). "Willows of Interior Alaska". US Fish and Wildlife Service.
7. Argus, George W.. (2008). "A Guide to the identification of Salix (willows) in Alberta". [[Devonian Botanical Garden]], [[Jasper National Park]], Alberta.
8. "RHS Plant Selector - ''Salix hastata'' 'Wehrhahnii'".
9. (July 2017). "AGM Plants - Ornamental". Royal Horticultural Society.