Shortfruit Willow
Salix brachycarpa
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Shortfruit Willow (Salix brachycarpa) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Shortfruit Willow is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–60" H × 12"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CO, ID, MT, NM and 4 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Shortfruit willow is a compact native shrub that forms dense, rounded clumps with narrow green leaves. It produces small catkins in late spring and summer, turning golden yellow in fall before going dormant in winter.
In an HOA neighborhood
Shortfruit Willow takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Looks quite wild and unstructured
- Bare branches in winter can appear messy
- May spread beyond intended boundaries
Wildlife value
This willow is particularly valuable for native bees and other pollinators during its extended bloom period. The dense branching also provides nesting sites for small birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Shortfruit Willow need?
- Shortfruit Willow grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Shortfruit Willow bloom?
- Shortfruit Willow blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Shortfruit Willow native?
- Shortfruit Willow (Salix brachycarpa) is native to CO, ID, MT, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Shortfruit Willow toxic to livestock?
- Shortfruit Willow is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- What pollinators does Shortfruit Willow attract?
- Shortfruit Willow draws bees.
- Is Shortfruit Willow HOA-friendly?
- Shortfruit Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Shortfruit Willow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz