Salix ×reichardtii
Common name
pussy willow
Family
Salicaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
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).
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
Year naturalised
1988
Origin
unknown
Reason For Introduction
Unknown
Life Cycle Comments
There are many species in New Zealand but often only represented by a single clone (Department of Conservation 1996).
Reproduction
Often the plant is lying down and rooting at the nodes (Department of Conservation 1996). The brittle and easily broken shoots grow extremely easily (Department of Conservation 1996).