Shining Willow is a native shrub or small tree of lakeshores and stream banks in the northern tier of North America, with glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Its catkins are an important early-season pollen source for bees. Dense stands provide valuable nesting cover for waterfowl and wetland birds, and the leaves support many Lepidoptera caterpillars.
Best time to see a Shining Willow
The best time to see a Shining Willow is May–August, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,404 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Shining Willow? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Shining Willow sightings near you
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