Family: Salicaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in temperate and Mediterranean regions of Australia and New Zealand
- Reported to be a riparian weed in Australia and New Zealand (conflicting reports on weediness and impacts)
- Other Salix species are invasive
- Parent species tolerate many soil types (presumably applies to hybrid)
- Reported to form dense stands in New Zealand and possibly Australia
- Hybridizes with other Salix species
- Spreads vegetatively
- Vegetative fragments spread by water and possibly as garden waste
- Intentionally cultivated by people
- Salix species able to coppice and resprout after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- A temperate and Mediterranean species that may only pose a threat to higher elevations of tropical islands
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock (palatable despite reports of toxicity)
- Non-toxic to animals and people
- Ornamental
- Shade-intolerant
- Male hybrid (incapable of seed production)
- Lack of seed production limits ability for long distance dispersal
- Herbicides may provide effective control