Salix babylonica
Weeping Willow
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Salix genus in the family Salicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Genus
- Salix
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 12 m
- Spread
- 12 m
- Fertility
- Self sterile, Bees
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then added to cereal flour for use in making bread etc. A very bitter flavour, it is a famine food that is only used when all else fails[5]. Young shoots and flower buds - cooked[2][6][8]. Not very palatable[5]. Older leaves are used to adulterate tea[8]. A source of a manna-like substance[8].
- Plant part
- Inner bark
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Sap
- Product or use
- Manna
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and bark are antirheumatic, astringent and tonic[7][14]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of abscesses, carbuncle, fever, rheumatism, skin diseases, ulcers etc[12]. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat diarrhoea and fevers[15]. The bark can be used as a poultice[15]. The stem bark is used in the treatment of skin eruptions due to parasites[12]. The root bark is used in a bath for the treatment of parasitic skin diseases[12]. A gum from the stems is used in the treatment of foul sores[12]. The down of the seeds is used in the treatment of fevers, haemorrhages, jaundice, rheumatism etc[12]. The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[13], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[11]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[13].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Skin
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[4][16]. The plant is usually coppiced annually when grown for basket making, though it is possible to coppice it every two years if thick poles are required as uprights. The extensive root system makes this species useful for binding soils[4][16]. A decoction or infusion of the bark has been used as a wash to make the hair grow[15].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Hair care
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- The origin of this species is obscure.
- Habitat
- Not known in a truly wild situation.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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. Very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame. Very easy.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[1][3], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[10]. Rarely thrives on chalk[10]. This species rarely thrives in Britain[3], it is very subject to canker and has been largely replaced in cultivation by S. 'Chrysocoma'[9]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[10]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[10]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[3]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[10]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6