Salix hastata
L.
Halberd-leaved willow
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSalix hastata is a species of flowering plant in the willow family, known by the common name halberd willow. It has an almost circumpolar distribution, occurring throughout the northern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, most frequently found near the coast of the Arctic Ocean. In Alaska, it occurs in the north and in the central mountains. It also occurs in northwestern Canada, and in Norway and Russia, as well as various alpine or mountainous areas of Eurasia.
Description
A dense shrub. It grows 1.5 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The twigs become purple in the second year. The leaves vary from oblong to rounded. They are dull green above and waxy underneath. The small plump flower catkins appear with the leaves.
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 regarded as a famine food, used only when all else fails. Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, though they 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. This gives it anodyne and febrifuge properties.
Known Hazards
None mentioned.
Distribution
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows naturally in mountain areas in central Europe. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Where It Grows
Australia, Europe, Norway, Scandinavia, Spain, Tasmania,
Cultivation
Succeeds in any moist soil in a sunny position. 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. Hardy to about -25°c. 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. 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 rooted in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted directly into their permanent position with a weed-suppressing mulch; success is very easy. Plant out into permanent positions in autumn. Half-ripe cuttings can be taken June to August and rooted in a frame, also very easily.
Other Uses
This species has a spreading root system that makes it suitable for stabilizing sand dunes. An oil is also associated with this plant. It is valued as a dynamic accumulator.
Notes
There are about 300 Salix species.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1297
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 284
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Sp. pl. 2:1017. 1753
