Salix delnortensis
Del norte willow, Del Norte Willow
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Salicaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Salix delnortensis (Del norte willow) is a native California shrub in the Salicaceae family, recognized by only willow in its range.
Del norte willow is a California native shrub ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the northwestern Klamath Ranges near Gasquet in Del Norte County along serpentine banks of rivers and streams at elevations of 90 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate flowers on shoots that emerge before its leaves. Growing less than 2 meters tall with twigs that are red or yellow-brown and notably brittle at the base, it develops a distinctive velvety texture on young stems and leaves. Its elliptic to obovate leaves are 53 to 102 millimeters long, with a slightly convex base and edges that curl under, covered in soft, fine hairs that give the foliage a soft, silvery appearance. The plant's mature stems become glabrous with age, and its leaves feature later stipules that resemble additional leaf structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; only willow in its range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine banks of rivers, streams
Elevation: 90-500 m
California counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Mendocino
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Salix delnortensis blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Umbellularia: Willows have narrow leaves with no scent; crush bay laurel leaf for intense spicy aroma.; vs Baccharis: Willows have catkins; baccharis has fuzzy white seed heads and resinous stems.; vs Acacia: Willow leaves have one central vein; acacia leaves are compound with many small leaflets or modified into flat phyllodes.; vs Quercus: Willows have narrow flexible leaves; oaks have broader stiff leaves and produce acorns.; vs Schinus: Willow leaves are simple; pepper tree has compound leaves with 15-40 leaflets and peppery-scented crushed foliage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salix delnortensis native to California?
Yes. Salix delnortensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salix delnortensis bloom?
Salix delnortensis blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Salix delnortensis grow?
Salix delnortensis occurs in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Mendocino, at elevations of 90-500 m.
What plant family does Salix delnortensis belong to?
Salix delnortensis is in the Salicaceae family, genus Salix.
Is Salix delnortensis rare or endangered?
Salix delnortensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.