Salix planifolia
Tea-leafed willow, Tea-Leafed Willow
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Family: Salicaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Salix planifolia (Tea-leafed willow) is a native California shrub / tree in the Salicaceae family, recognized by but distinctive early flowering before leaves emerge.
Tea-leafed willow is a California native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in subalpine meadows and streambanks at elevations of 2,500 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small flowers in slender catkins with brown to black flower bracts. Growing as a compact shrub less than one meter tall with twigs in striking yellow-brown, red-brown, or violet tones, it has a delicate branching structure. Its leaves are elliptical, 19 to 75 millimeters long, with fine serrated edges and a distinctive white or white-and-rusty silky surface that gives the plant its tea-leaf-like appearance. The shrub has delicate white to rusty silky ovaries and small staminate flowers with two stamens.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species but distinctive early flowering before leaves emerge
Habitat and range
Habitat: Subalpine meadows, streambanks
Elevation: 2500-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Plumas, Mariposa, Fresno
Outside California: to northern and eastern North America, New Mexico
Bloom period
Salix planifolia blooms May-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 planifolia native to California?
Yes. Salix planifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Salix planifolia bloom?
Salix planifolia blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Salix planifolia grow?
Salix planifolia occurs in Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Plumas, Mariposa, Fresno, at elevations of 2500-4000 m.
What plant family does Salix planifolia belong to?
Salix planifolia is in the Salicaceae family, genus Salix.
What habitat does Salix planifolia grow in?
Salix planifolia grows in Subalpine meadows, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.