More info for the terms: forbs, mesic
Geyer willow grows in wet meadows and marshes, next to seeps and
springs, and along the borders of low gradient streams and beaver ponds.
It is often somewhat removed from a stream's edge, occurring in broad,
low gradient valley bottoms. It is also frequently associated with
abandoned and sediment-filled beaver ponds [54]. These riparian sites
usually occur in broad montane and subalpine valleys. Adjacent uplands
are dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), blue spruce (P.
pungens), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), lodgepole pine (Pinus
contorta), ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii), aspen (Populus tremuloides), or big sagebrush (Artemisia
tridentata) [24,44,54].
Water relations: Geyer willow occupies sites that range from wet to
relatively dry, but it rarely grows on sites where the water table is
deeper than 39 inches (1 m) [44].
Soils: Geyer willow is usually found on deep, fine-textured mineral
soils of alluvial origin. Near the surface they are often mottled and
have an accumulation of organic material [44,54]. Shallow organic soils
overlying alluvium may develop on wet, marshy, sedge-dominated sites
[44].
Associates: On very wet sites, Geyer willow usually has understories
dominated by beaked sedge (Carex rostrata), water sedge (C. aquatilis),
and/or fowl bluegrass (Poa palustris). On some of the drier sites Geyer
willow occupies, mesic forbs and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) are
common. Other common understory associates include wooly sedge (Carex
lanuginosa), Sitka sedge (C. sitchensis), widefruit sedge (C.
eurycarpa), smallwing sedge (C. microptera), Baltic rush (Juncus
balticus), bluejoint reedgrass, and tufted hairgrass [24,30,44,54].
Associated willows are identified in the Habitat Types and Plant
Communities slot.
Elevation: Geyer willow is found in the mountains at moderately low to
upper elevations. In Utah, Geyer willow grows at a variety of
elevations, but it is most common at lower elevations in broad valleys
[44]. In Oregon, it is generally found at low to middle elevations
[30], and in Montana at middle to upper elevations [23]. Elevational
ranges for Geyer willow are presented below:
from 5,000 to 7,000 feet (1,525-2,134 m) in Arizona [29]
from 5,000 to 10,500 feet (1,524-3,200 m) in California [42]
from 4,000 to 8,000 feet (1,219-2,438 m) in east central Idaho [9]
from 3,700 to 7,800 feet (1,128-2,377 m) in southwestern Montana [24]
from 6,500 to 8,500 feet (1,981-2,591 m) in Nevada [36]
from 3,100 to 5,900 feet (945-1,798 m) in southwestern Oregon [30]
