Salix daphnoides

Salix daphnoides, the European violet willow, is a species of plant in the family Salicaceae. It can grow as a large shrub or small tree, normally reaching a height of 6–8 m (20–26 ft), but can grow up to 12 m (39 ft) tall.

Description

A shrubby deciduous tree. It grows 10 m tall. It is a broad cone shape. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are narrow and 6-12 cm long by 3 cm wide. They taper to a point. There are fine teeth along the edges. The leaves are glossy dark green above and blue-green underneath. They have hairs on both sides but become smooth. The male and female flowers are separate. They are very small. They are in catkins 4 cm long. The fruit is a small green capsule. It opens to release fluffy seeds.

Edible Uses

The inner bark can be eaten raw or cooked, or dried and ground into a powder to blend with cereal flour for bread-making. It has a very bitter flavour and is considered a famine food, used only when all else fails. Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and are rich in vitamin C, though not very palatable. Young catkin-bearing shoots are also edible raw or cooked. The growing tips of underground rhizomes can be peeled and eaten.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots and catkins are eaten fresh or in seal oil. The inner bark is eaten raw. The growing tips of the underground rhizomes can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked.

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. The plant is also noted as a source of vitamin C.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. It grows in mountainous regions in Europe. It grows on dry sites. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Where It Grows

Alaska, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Himalayas, India, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils, but prefers a deep damp, heavy soil in a sunny position. Rarely thrives on chalk. Succeeds in poor strong soils. Succeeds in maritime exposure. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains. It is best not to plant this species within 10 metres of buildings. 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. A very ornamental and fast growing plant. There are some named varieties. 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 ripens 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, either in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position with a weed-suppressing mulch; these root very easily. Plant out permanently in autumn. Half-ripe cuttings taken June to August in a frame also root very easily.

Other Uses

The very flexible stems are used in basket-making and for constructing wattle and daub walls. Plants are typically coppiced annually for basketry, or every two years when thick upright poles are needed. Fast-growing and tolerant of maritime exposure, trees can be used in shelterbelt plantings. The extensive root system makes them well suited to stabilising sand dunes. The wood is soft, even-grained, and smooth, used for construction, pales, and tubs. Functions as a dynamic accumulator.

Notes

There are about 300 Salix species. Young leaves are rich in Vitamin C.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bashroi, Bedi, Beli, Betsa, Bhail, Bhainshra, Bheul, Bidai, Bushan, Chankar, Mudanu, Richang, Roangching, Shun, Thail, Yur

References (13)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 541
• Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 293
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1297
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 222
• Farrar, J.L., 1995, Trees of the Northern United States and Canada. Iowa State University press/Ames p 334

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