Practical
Plants

Salix gooddingii

Goodding's 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
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
10 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

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

A honeydew can be obtained from the cut branches[9]. The young shoots can be made into a tea[9]. Leaves and the bark of twigs can be steeped to make a tea[9]. The catkins can be eaten raw[9]. Bark - raw or cooked[9]. This probably refers to the inner bark[K].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Inner bark
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.

A decoction of the leaves and bark have been used as a febrifuge[9]. The following uses are for the closely related S. nigra. They probably also apply to this species. The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative, tonic[10][11][12][5][3]. It has been used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, ovarian pains and nocturnal emissions[10]. 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[8]. The bark is removed during the summer and dried for later use[8]. The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[8]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[8]. The fresh bark contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[6]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[6] and as an ingredient of spring tonics[7].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The stems are used in basket making. The N. American Indians used to debark the stems and then weave a basket so tight that it could be used to hold water[7]. 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 small green branches can be split into two, peeled, twisted, dried and used for sewing coiled baskets[9]. The bark has been used as a padding in babies cradles[9].

Product or use
Baby care
Product or use
Basketry

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Texas, south to Mexico.
Habitat
Found in desert, desert grassland and oak woodland habitats, it is most abundant on nutrient-rich floodplains[7]. Found at elevations between 60 - 1200 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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]. A good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar[2]. Trees are impatient of root disturbance and should be moved regularly before being planted in their permanent positions, which is best done whilst the plants are young[2]. 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↩4

  3. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  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. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  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. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩

  12. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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