Plants of Southern California: Salix: Key to Willows of Coastal Southern California Below 6000 Feet Elevation

This page gives a succinct version for printing of the key explained in depth here.

• Step 1: Is the leaf at least 10 x longer than wide? If so, you have found S. exigua, sandbar or narrowleaf willow. If not, go to Step 2.

• Step 2: Is the leaf the same color above and below? If so, you have found S. gooddingii, black willow.

• Step 3: Is the distal half of the leaf as wide or wider in every portion than the proximal half of the leaf? (The distal portion is closest to the tip of the leaf, farthest from the stem; the proximal portion is closest to the stem.) If so, you have found S. lasiolepis, the extremely common arroyo willow.

• Step 4: Are the buds in the axils of the upper leaves obviously sharply-pointed; and is the leaf stalk (petiole) smooth, without "bumps" (glands)? If so, you have found S. laevigata, red willow

• Step 5: Are the buds in the axils of the upper leaves obviously rounded at the tip; and does the leaf stalk (petiole) have "bumps" (glands)? If so, you have found S. lucida var. lasiandra, shining willow.

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• Key to Willows of Coastal Southern California Below 6000 Feet Elevation