Salix nivalis
Snow willow
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Family: Salicaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Salix nivalis (Snow willow) is a native California shrub in the Salicaceae family, recognized by but distinctive mat-forming habit under 0.1m and alpine habitat.
Snow willow is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native shrub found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains near Mount Dana in alpine cirques at elevations of 3,100 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small flowers in delicate catkins with tan to light rose bracts. Growing as a low-spreading mat less than 10 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with yellow- or red-brown twigs. Its leaves are small and elliptic to obovate, measuring 6 to 22 millimeters long, with a subtle convex surface and occasionally silky undersides. The plant has distinctive features including glabrous young leaves and compact growth adapted to harsh alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species but distinctive mat-forming habit under 0.1m and alpine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine cirques
Elevation: 3100-3500 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne
Outside California: to western Canada, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Salix nivalis blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 nivalis native to California?
Yes. Salix nivalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salix nivalis bloom?
Salix nivalis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Salix nivalis grow?
Salix nivalis occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, at elevations of 3100-3500 m.
What plant family does Salix nivalis belong to?
Salix nivalis is in the Salicaceae family, genus Salix.
Is Salix nivalis rare or endangered?
Salix nivalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
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.