Salix sp.
Willow, Willow
(c) Louis Imbeau, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Louis Imbeau · licence
Family: Salicaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Salix sp. (Willow) is a non-native California shrub in the Salicaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Salix sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Salix sp. belong to?
Salix sp. is in the Salicaceae family, genus Salix.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Salix tracyi — Tracy's willow
- Salix alba — White willow
- Salix babylonica — Weeping willow
- Salix bebbiana — Bebb's willow
- Salix boothii — Booth's willow
- Salix brachycarpa var. brachycarpa — Short-fruited willow
- Populus alba — White poplar
- Populus angustifolia — Narrow-leaved cottonwood
- Populus fremontii subsp. fremontii — Alamo or fremont cottonwood
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.