Friends of Calera Creek Park

Contributed by Carlos Davidson

What is a native plant? Native plants are plants that naturally occur in an area, without human intervention. Native plants are important because they support local ecosystems by providing the specific food and shelter needed by local wildlife. One of the most common native plants in Calera Creek Park is the Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepis), which is a large shrub or small tree. Arroyo Willow is deciduous, dropping its leaves in the winter. The plant has beautiful yellow blooms that sometimes come out before the leaves. Arroyo Willows grow in riparian areas and other wetlands.

Arroyo Willows are the host plant for three butterflies: mourning cloak, Lorquin’s Admiral and western tiger swallowtails. Native Americans used Arroyo Willows for medicines, ropes, basketry and housing thatch. 

In addition to Arroyo Willow, Shining Willow (Salix lucida) can also be found in Calera Creek Park. It looks very similar but has stipules – small paired appendages sticking out where a leaf stem attaches to a branch. Both willows play an important role in stabilizing the creek bank and controlling erosion.

Willows naturally “weep” – that is unlike a pine or eucalyptus tree, the outer branches of a willow often hang down all the way to the ground, giving the whole tree a dome like shape. If for some reason you need to prune a willow try to maintain its natural form.