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Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Salix cinerea.

Material uses

Plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize waste tips and old slag heaps[1]. The seeds are very light and so can travel some distance in the wind. The plant is therefore able to find its way to areas such as cleared woodland where the soil has been disturbed. Seedlings will grow away quickly, even in exposed conditions and the plant will provide good shelter for the establishment of woodland plants. Thus it makes a good pioneer species and, except in wetter and moorland-type soils, will eventually be largely out-competed by the other woodland trees. Its main disadvantage as a pioneer plant is that it has an extensive root system and is quite a greedy plant, thus it will not help as much in enriching the soil for the other woodland plants as other pioneer species such as the alders, Alnus species[K].
There are no material uses listed for Salix cinerea.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[2], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[3]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[2].

The bark of this species is used interchangeably with S. alba. It is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory stages of auto-immune diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, feverish illnesses, neuralgia and headache[4]. The bark is removed during the summer and dried for later use[4].

The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[4]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[4].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Pioneer


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring. It has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days.

Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November to February in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position and given a good weed-suppressing mulch. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Salix cinerea. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[5][6], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[7]. Rarely thrives on chalk[7]. A relatively slow-growing but extremely durable plant when growing in very exposed positions[1].

Closely related to S. caprea[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[6]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[7].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Salix cinerea. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Salix cinerea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Salix cinerea
Genus
Salix
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
5 x meters
Fertility
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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"image:Salix cinerea gråvide.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Newsholme. C. Willows - The Genus Salix. Batsford ISBN 0713468815 (1992-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  8. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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