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Salix babylonica
  • Weeping Willow

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

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Salix babylonica has 0 edible uses listed
Salix babylonica has 0 material uses listed
Salix babylonica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

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[1].

Young shoots and flower buds - cooked[2][3][4]. Not very palatable[1]. Older leaves are used to adulterate tea[4].

A source of a manna-like substance[4].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Sap

Manna

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[5][6]. 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[5][6].

A decoction or infusion of the bark has been used as a wash to make the hair grow[7].

Unknown part

Basketry
Hair care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and bark are antirheumatic, astringent and tonic[8][9].

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of abscesses, carbuncle, fever, rheumatism, skin diseases, ulcers etc[10]. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat diarrhoea and fevers[7]. The bark can be used as a poultice[7]. The stem bark is used in the treatment of skin eruptions due to parasites[10]. The root bark is used in a bath for the treatment of parasitic skin diseases[10]. A gum from the stems is used in the treatment of foul sores[10]. The down of the seeds is used in the treatment of fevers, haemorrhages, jaundice, rheumatism etc[10].

The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[11], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[12]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[11].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antirheumatic
Astringent
Febrifuge
Poultice
Skin

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Salix babylonica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[13][14], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[15]. Rarely thrives on chalk[15].

This species rarely thrives in Britain[14], it is very subject to canker and has been largely replaced in cultivation by S. 'Chrysocoma'[16]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[15]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[15]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[14]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[15].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Salix babylonica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Salix babylonica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Salix babylonica
Genus
Salix
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[8][9][10][7][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7]
Botanic
[14][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    12 x 12 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Willow Salix babylonica.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 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)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    16. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)

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    Facts about "Salix babylonica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySalicaceae +
    Belongs to genusSalix +
    Functions asEarth stabiliser +
    Has common nameWeeping Willow +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partInner bark +, Leaves +, Sap + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use +, Manna + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bee +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageWillow Salix babylonica.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry + and Hair care +
    Has mature height12 +
    Has mature width12 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antirheumatic +, Astringent +, Febrifuge +, Poultice + and Skin +
    Has primary imageWillow Salix babylonica.jpg +
    Has search namesalix babylonica + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSalix babylonica +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +