Shining Willow

About Shining Willow in Alberta

Shining willow is a native Alberta tall riparian willow best anchored here to Salix lasiandra, even though some Alberta applied sources also use Salix lucida (= S. lasiandra) for the same practical species concept. It is a large shrub to small tree of wet riparian corridors, floodplains, alluvial soils, and other moist lowland to mid-elevation settings, with glossy leaves and strong restoration value in streambank and floodplain work. For Ancient Roots Alberta, it is one of the more heritage-relevant willows in this batch because it can become substantial in size and persist as a visible structural part of native riparian landscapes.

Identification: Leaves are relatively long, narrow to lanceolate or oblanceolate, distinctly glossy above, and serrulate along the margins. Petioles often have glands distally. The glossy foliage is the clearest basis for the common name.

Alberta range and habitat: Shining willow is native in Alberta and is best understood as a tall riparian willow of wet lowland to mid-elevation settings. It is much more likely in natural wet landscapes and restoration settings than in formal urban plantings.