Hooker's Willow - history, description and illustration

What is it about?

Out of the hundreds of different species of willow in the world, Hooker’s Willow (Salix hookeriana) is one of the most attractive, not only for people but also as a source of nectar for early pollinators such as honey bees. It is native to the west coast of North America from California to Alaska where it is often seen standing in shallow water, coastal dunes, floodplains, meadows and mixed forest and is the most common ‘pussy willow.’ The history of its discovery and its introduction into cultivation in Europe, especially the British Isles, is presented with original illustrations and description.

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Why is it important?

Biodiversity is rapidly declining largely as a result of human activity. Recording the number of species and providing their descriptions and illustrations is therefore increasingly important.

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