Salix lucida
Shining 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
- 8 m
- Fertility
- Self sterile, Bees
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
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 is analgesic, antiasthmatic, astringent and haemostatic[7]. It is used in the treatment of bleeding and asthma[7]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to the head to allay the pain of headaches[7]. The poultice has also been used to treat sores and bleeding cuts[7]. An infusion of the leaves is used as an analgesic in the treatment of headaches[7]. The fresh bark contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[4]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[4].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiasthmatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- Eastern and Central N. America - Newfoundland to the eastern base of the Rockies.
- Habitat
- Wet soils, especially in and along swamps[6], also in marshes, peat bogs and on sand banks along creeks[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 2+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- 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[3]. Rarely thrives on chalk[3]. A fast-growing but short-lived plant[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3]. 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]. They form a valuable early food for bumble bees[3]. Closely related to S. pentandra[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[3]. 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
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
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
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9