by Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy, CWC River Ecologist
Description
Sandbar Willow is a native tree or shrub whose range includes the majority of the United States up to Canada. Locally it grows along the Lower San Lorenzo River and is only known to occur in two other locations in Santa Cruz County. Our River Ecologist has exclusively seen it at one location along the river where the river meets Branciforte Creek. This area has sandy soil that the Willow thrives in. It can grow from 13 feet tall up to 23 feet. It spreads primarily by rhizomes creating many clones and eventually a thicket of willows. It has greyish/green leaves. Sandbar Willows flowers are catkins and they resemble furry caterpillars when in bloom. It is a wetland species that helps stabilize stream banks and reduce erosion. A neat fact about Sandbar Willow is they are known as a pioneer species which means they are one of the first species to inhabit a disturbed habitat.
Ecological Significance
Like many native species, Sandbar Willow is a great pollinator plant hosting butterflies, moths, and gal-forming insects. Gals are tumor-like growths on plants that hold, protect, and feed the larvae of insects. When the insects are fully grown they will find their way out of the gal and continue this gal-forming cycle. The nature of this Willow is to create large thickets which become a perfect location for songbird nests. With all these interactions the best way to describe Sandbar Willows Ecological significance is to say they are a safe haven for the young critters of the world and because of them, these critters are given food, protection, and shelter.
A Willow Gal
Traditional Uses
Sandbar Willow has a rich history of uses throughout Native American tribes. It has been used traditionally by native tribes across the country as a construction material for sweat lodges, winterhouses, and homes. It has also been used for tool-making for instance making bows and sewing needles. It was used by Costanoans, Yurok, Tolowa, and Karok for basketry making due to its flexible nature. The Navajo tribes used it for ceremonial medicine and for the creation of ceremonial items including the Lightningway hoop. Although little is recorded about contemporary traditional uses many tribes including our neighbors The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band are teaching and sometimes relearning their history and their connection with native plants including Willow.
Current Medicinal Uses
Willow contains salicin which is known throughout history to dull pain. By the end of the 19th century, this had been purified by scientists and named salicin which is Latin for Willow. Soon after it was mass-produced by a German chemist and made into the aspirin we know and use today.
Love Sandbar Willow? Join CWC for a River Health Day!
Every second Saturday of the month, the Coastal Watershed Council leads River Health Days where volunteers help plant and care for a variety of native plant species to increase biodiversity and habitat complexity and support a healthy river ecosystem. Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua) is one beneficial plant you may spot growing along the river. Sign up for an event here to get involved!
Sandbar Willow along the Lower San Lorenzo River
References:
Calscape. (n.d.). Salix exigua (Sandbar Willow). Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://calscape.org/Salix-exigua-(Sandbar-Willow)
Calflora. (n.d.). Salix exigua. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=7270
Calflora. (n.d.). Salix exigua – Observation search results. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.calflora.org/entry/observ.html?track=m#srch=t&lpcli=t&taxon=Salix+exigua&chk=t&cch=t&cnabh=t&inat=r&cc=SCR
Calflora. (n.d.). Salix exigua (Sandbar Willow). Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=11063
Nature Collective. (n.d.). Sandbar Willow. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://naturecollective.org/plant-guide/details/sandbar-willow/
Native American Ethnobotany. (n.d.). Search results for Salix exigua. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Salix+exigua
UTMB. (n.d.). Origin story of aspirin [Podcast]. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.utmb.edu/mdnews/podcast/episode/origin-story-of-aspirin
U.S. Forest Service. (n.d.). Salix exigua. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/salexi/all.html
Wikimedia Commons. (2019). Salix sp. with Eriophyidae galls, Upernavik [Photograph]. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salix_sp_with_Eriophyidae_galls_upernavik_2.jpg
