rose-gold pussy willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• rose-gold pussy willow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Salicaceae and is identified by the genus Salix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the diverse landscapes of the Russian Far East. Within this vast region, its presence is documented across the Amur and Khabarovsk territories. It can also be found growing in the coastal reaches of Primorye and on the island of Sakhalin. Beyond the borders of Russia, the species extends its range into the northern parts of China. Specifically, its geographical reach includes the expansive area of Inner Mongolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salix gracilistyla is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives in moisture-rich settings. It typically occupies riparian zones, alluvial plains, and wetland margins, often establishing itself in areas with high water tables or seasonal flooding. These lowland habitats provide the consistent soil moisture and nutrient-dense alluvial deposits necessary for its growth and development. By colonizing these damp, low-lying landscapes, the species plays a functional role in stabilizing banks and contributing to the complex structural diversity of wetland ecosystems.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Salix gracilistyla is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs above the ground, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte through its structural growth habit. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually as part of its seasonal cycle. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and deciduousness defines its physiological strategy for adapting to its environment.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salix gracilistyla is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant, maintaining its structure without the need for climbing. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 3 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salix gracilistyla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy that facilitates carbon fixation in temperate environments. Its foliage is morphologically defined by lanceolate leaf forms with entire margins, lacking any defensive leaf thorns or spines. The dimensions of the leaves vary significantly, with a mean leaf length of 5 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 8 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 1.75 cm.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.75 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salix gracilistyla involves both sexual and asexual mechanisms. Sexually, the species is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable. During this time, the plant produces inflorescences that are relatively small, measuring between 0.025 m and 0.035 m in length. In addition to its sexual reproductive cycle, asexual reproduction is also present, allowing the plant to propagate through non-seed methods.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Inflorescence length max:

0.035 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.025 m

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salix gracilistyla has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dihydromyricetin, Picein, isograndidentatin B, salicin.

Dihydromyricetin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Picein

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

isograndidentatin B

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

salicin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Salix gracilistyla has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain.

Pain

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)