Salix x smithiana
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
- 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.
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[4]. Young shoots - cooked. Not very palatable[4].
- Plant part
- Inner bark
- Plant part
- Leaves
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 fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[7], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[6]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[7].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[2][3]. 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.
- Product or use
- Basketry
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- A hybrid of obscure origin, possible S. caprea x S. viminalis.
- 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. This is a hybrid species and it will not breed true from seed. 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[5]. Rarely thrives on chalk[5]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[5]. 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[5]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[5]. It is best not to grow this species within 10 metres of buildings. 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
Warren-Wren. S. C. Willows. David and Charles 1972-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
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