Bearberry Willow Salix uva-ursi Pursh |
Dicots |
|
 |
| Salix uva-ursi (pistillate flowers) |
Peter ZIka |
Family: Willow Family (Salicaceae)
State Protection:
Threatened
Federal Protection:
Not Listed
State Rarity Rank:
S2
Global Rarity Rank:
G5
Did you know?
Frederick Pursh, who described this species, noted that its habit and leaves resemble those of the bearberry plant (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Therefore he used the species name uva-ursi, which means bearberry, for this species. Pursh also wrote that this is a "beautiful little species." Edward Tuckerman, a 19th-century botanist from Amherst College, did not think Pursh had adequately described the species, and renamed it Salix cutleri, after Reverend Manassah Cutler, an 18th-century botanist and congressman from Massachusetts. Pursh's original name was restored by willow expert M. S. Bebb (Bebb 1989).
|
| State Ranking Justification |
[-] |
There are 11 known populations all of which are known from the high peaks in the Adirondacks. One population, which is close to another one and may be considered only a sub-population, is believed to be extirpated. Some populations are threatened by trampling from hiker traffic.
One population or sub-population appears to have become extirpated within the past 20 years. Overall, short-term trends are unclear but may indicate a slight decline.
Only one population or sub-population appears to have become extirpated within the past 20 years. About five of the eleven extant populations are known to have been extant for the past 100 years. Overall, long-term trends are unclear but probably indicate at least a slight decline.
|