Salix ×reichardtii
Common name
pussy willow
Family
Salicaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
A tree often found in wet areas adjacent to, or in forest remnants (Porteus 1993). A plant that grows on riverbanks, lakesides, drainage canals and wet places (Department of Conservation 1996). A plant that forms dense stands in rivers and drains (Department of Conservation 1996). A plant that invades communities dominated by native plant species e.g. willow in manuka at Whangamarino (West 1993).
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACW: Facultative Wetland
Usually is a hydrophyte but occasionally found in uplands (non-wetlands).
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Similar taxa
A tree and shrub that is mostly deciduous (Department of Conservation 1996). Leaves are usually alternate, trunks sometimes lying down and rooting at the nodes (Department of Conservation 1996). The leaves are lanceolate or elliptic to oval and sometimes shallowly toothed (Department of Conservation 1996). A plant that produces catkins (Department of Conservation 1996).
Flower colours
Yellow
Life cycle
There are many species in New Zealand but often only represented by a single clone (Department of Conservation 1996). Often the plant is lying down and rooting at the nodes, brittle and easily broken shoots grow extremely easily (ibid.).
Year naturalised
1988
Origin
unknown
Reason for introduction
Unknown