Photo by Sally King Post missing - Stop 7: In the canyon water-loving plants like Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) and willow (Salix spp) grow in profusion. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves of this cottonwood are very different from the heart-shaped leaves of the Rio Grande cottonwood found elsewhere in the state. Cottonwoods get their names from the cotton-like strands that catch the breeze and transport the seeds. Narrowleaf cottonwood can easily be confused with willows. In early spring, willows are distinguished from cottonwoods because they only have one bud scale that forms a little cap over the developing flower. Before flood events in 2011 and 2013 willows were rare in this part of the canyon due to the predominance of Ponderosa pine. The pines created a dense overstory that blocked light from the sun-loving willows. The floods downed many towering pines and deposited fresh soils. The new environment seems to benefit the willows.
Photo by Sally King |
Last updated: January 16, 2022