Salix jepsonii
Jepson's willow
Family: Salicaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Salix jepsonii (Jepson's willow) is a native California shrub in the Salicaceae family, recognized by single stamen is unique diagnostic feature.
Jepson's willow is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in wet mountain habitats near lakes, streams, and meadows at elevations of 1,000 to 3,400 meters. Flowering in June, this willow produces delicate flowers on leafy shoots with distinctive gray or red-brown twigs. Growing as a shrub one to three meters tall with brittle branches, it develops velvety or silky stems that provide a soft textural appearance. Its leaves are oblanceolate, measuring 55 to 103 millimeters long, with densely short-silky undersides and entire margins that rarely show minute serrations. The shrub's unique silky foliage and slender form make it a characteristic component of high-elevation mountain wetland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; single stamen is unique diagnostic feature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Margins of lakes and streams, wet meadows
Elevation: 1000-3400 m
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Salix jepsonii blooms Jun.
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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Salix jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salix jepsonii bloom?
Salix jepsonii blooms Jun.
What plant family does Salix jepsonii belong to?
Salix jepsonii is in the Salicaceae family, genus Salix.
What habitat does Salix jepsonii grow in?
Salix jepsonii grows in Margins of lakes and streams, wet meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.