prairie willow, Salix humilis

Prairie willow is indeed sort of humble. It is one of the lowest growing willows, getting only about head high. On the other hand, it's bigger than it looks. It grows in large clones, spreading by roots through the loose soil it prefers. Those patches make an attractive sight, and these willows do sometimes show up in our gardens. Prairie or dwarf pussy willow grows in AL, AR, CT, DE, FL. GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, and QC. Ives Fen Preserve, Lenawee Co MI, 3/21/12. Willow family, Salicaceae.