Salix discolor, the American pussy willow or glaucous willow, is a species of willow native to North America. Rapid spreading shallow root systems may clog sewers or drains and make gardening underneath the plants difficult. It can be severely pruned after flowering. Tolerates deer, erosion, wet soil, and black walnut More information on Salix .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple leaves; 3 to 4 in. long; gray-green underside; non-showy fall color
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Insignificant
Flower color
Gray/Silver; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long-lasting
Flower detail
Silky gray male flowers in spring before leaves emerge on separate male and female plants
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Wildlife value
This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana.
Native Americans are known to have used this plant for medicinal purposes. It was also used in making rope, baskets, containers, fasteners, cooking tools, and in making netting.