Fauna
Plant

Dwarf Willow

Salix herbacea

Also known as Least Willow, Snowbed Willow

Dwarf willow forms dense, mat-like colonies barely a few centimeters tall, anchoring its trailing woody stems beneath tundra soil to survive fierce winds. Its tiny, glossy round leaves feature distinct net-like veins and emerge immediately as alpine snowdrifts melt. Small catkins bloom alongside the fresh foliage, relying on cold-tolerant bumblebees and wind to complete pollination during brief summer growing windows.

ArcticAlpineMiniature Plant
Dwarf Willow reference1 / 7
(c) Katrin Simon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Reindeer
  • Rock Ptarmigan
  • Arctic Hare
ThreatsClimate change, loss of snowbeds, tundra trampling
HabitatsArctic tundra, alpine snowbeds, rocky scree
Life span30–80 years
Classification
  1. FamilySalicaceae
  2. SpeciesSalix herbacea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by bright green rounded leaves rising only a couple centimeters above tundra soil in late snowbeds.
Support conservation
Observe from marked trails without stepping onto fragile snowbed vegetation mats.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look carefully at ground level around late-melting snowdrifts to find the tiny creeping stems.
  • Tread Lightly: Stay on established alpine paths, as prostrate tundra vegetation recovers very slowly from trampling.
Related species
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