Practical
Plants

Salix exigua

Coyote Willow

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Salix genus in the family Salicaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Salix
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
9 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves have been used to make a drink like orange juice[8].

Product or use
Drink

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 bark has been used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and certain fevers[8]. A decoction of the dried roots has been used in the treatment of venereal diseases[8]. The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[6], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[5]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[6].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flexible branches are used in basket making[6][8]. 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 bark is used to make rope and string[6][8]. The fibres in the bark have been woven to make clothing, bags and blankets[6][8]. The shredded inner bark has been used to make sanitary towels and babies' nappies[6]. The twigs have been used as toothbrushes[6]. Plants have an extensive root system, spreading rapidly with long surface roots that produce numerous suckers. They are used in soil stabilization projects[3] and also in reclaiming sandbars etc from rivers[7]. This is a vigorous fast-growing species that paves the way for longer-lived woodland trees. It is intolerant of much shade and is eventually out-competed by the other trees[7].

Product or use
Baby care
Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
String
Product or use
Dental care

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
N. America - Alaska to New Brunswick, south through central N. America to Texas.
Habitat
Forms thickets in estuaries and swamps[3]. Sandy gravelly or mucky soils in or along watercourses, often invading fresh sandbars in rivers and streams[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 2+
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][2], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[4]. Rarely thrives on chalk[4]. Plants send out underground stems from which new branches sprout. They quickly form dense thickets[7]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[4]. It is best not to plant this species within 10 metres of buildings. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[4]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Newsholme. C. Willows - The Genus Salix. Batsford 1992-00-00 ISBN 0713468815

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  6. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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