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Salix fragilis
  • Crack 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.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
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 fragilis has 0 edible uses listed
Salix fragilis has 0 material uses listed
Salix fragilis 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 - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable[1].

A saccharine exudation is obtained from the leaves and young branches[2][3]. Used as a food[4].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Sweetener

Material uses

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 bark contains around 10% tannin[7].

Wood - tough, withstands friction. Used for floors, bases of carts etc[8]. A good quality charcoal is obtained from the wood[6].

Unknown part

Basketry
Charcoal
Tannin
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[9], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[10]. This is used as an anodyne, astringent and febrifuge[11][9].

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[12]. A poultice of the bark has been applied to sores as a styptic and healing agent[13]. The bark is removed during the summer and dried for later use[12].

The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[12]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[12].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Astringent
Febrifuge
Poultice
Styptic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

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 fragilis. 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,[14] but prefers a deep damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[8][15]. Rarely thrives on chalk[15]. Succeeds in an exposed position[16].

Closely allied to S. alba, with which it freely hybridizes[8], though it tolerates poorer soils than that species[16]. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly species[17] and a good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar and pollen[8]. The cultivar 'Basfordiana' is used for basket making[18]. Best if planted into its permanent position as soon as possible. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[15]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[15]. Plants are very amenable to coppicing or pollarding and can be cut back annually if required[16].

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 fragilis. 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 fragilis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Salix fragilis
Genus
Salix
Family
Salicaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[9][10][11][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7][8]
Botanic
[8][19][15]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
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
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
15 x 15 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.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 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.2 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
  17. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)
  18. ? Warren-Wren. S. C. Willows. David and Charles (1972-00-00)
  19. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

"image:Salix fragilis Sturm22.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Salix_fragilis&oldid=80560"
Facts about "Salix fragilis"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familySalicaceae +
Belongs to genusSalix +
Has common nameCrack Willow +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partInner bark +, Leaves + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Sweetener +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Bee +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageSalix fragilis Sturm22.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useBasketry +, Charcoal +, Tannin + and Wood +
Has mature height15 +
Has mature width15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Astringent +, Febrifuge +, Poultice + and Styptic +
Has primary imageSalix fragilis Sturm22.jpg +
Has search namesalix fragilis + 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 fragilis +
Has water requirementshigh +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Secondary canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +