Salix acutifolia
Willd.
Sharp-leaf willow, Caspian willow
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(c) Aliaksandr Mialik, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Aliaksandr Mialik
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(c) Maria Fazilova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
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(c) Людмила Михайлова, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaSalix acutifolia, also known as Siberian violet-willow, long-leaved violet willow or sharp-leaf willow, is a species of flowering plant in the family Salicaceae, native to Russia and eastern Asia. It is a spreading, deciduous shrub or tree, growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall by 12 m (39 ft) wide. The young shoots are deep purple with a white bloom. The leaves are narrow, up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The catkins are produced in early spring, before the leaves. Older bark has a fine, netted pattern. Like all willows this species is dioecious. Male catkins are 5 cm (2 in) and silvery, with gold anthers, while female catkins are green and 3 cm (1 in) long. The specific epithet acutifolia means "sharp-leaved". The male clone 'Blue Streak' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Description
A shrubby tree. It grows 8 m tall and spreads 9 m wide. The bark is grey. The young twigs are red-brown. The leaves are narrow and dark green. They are bluish underneath. The flowers are silky white catkins.
Edible Uses
The inner bark can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried, ground into a powder, and added to cereal flours for making bread. It is considered a famine food, used only when all else fails. Young shoots are cooked but are not very palatable.
Medicinal Uses
The fresh bark contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid — closely related to aspirin — in the human body, and is used as an anodyne and febrifuge. This applies to all members of this genus.
Distribution
It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, Europe, Russia,
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils, but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position. Rarely thrives on chalk. Very wind-resistant, tolerating maritime exposure. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind. Closely related to S. daphnoides and considered to be a part of that species by some authorities. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. There are also named forms cultivated for basket making. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Seed must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring, as viability is very short — perhaps only a few days. Cuttings of mature wood from the current year's growth can be taken November to February and placed in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position with a good weed-suppressing mulch; this method is very easy. Plant out into permanent positions in autumn. Cuttings of half-ripe wood taken June to August in a frame are also very easy.
Other Uses
The stems are very flexible and used in basket making. Plants are usually coppiced annually for this purpose, though coppicing every two years produces thicker poles suitable as uprights. The plant can also be grown in shelterbelts for wind protection, and its extensive root system is effective for binding sandy soils.
Notes
There are about 350 Salix species. There are 10 in tropical America.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1296
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 283
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Sp. pl. 4(2):668. 1806
