White Willow

(Salix alba)

Other Names:
None Known

Range: Non-Native


Family:
Salicaceae – Willow family

Growth Type:
A riparian deciduous woody tree. When viewed from a distance, the crown of S. alba often appears leaning and off-center. This species will readily hybridize with Salix fragilis, commonly called crack willow or brittle willow.

Height:
Can grow up to 30 meters tall (approximately 100ft).

Leaves:
The leaves of S. alba are much paler than those of other Salix species. This is due to a covering of very fine, silky, white, hairs. The hairs are most prevalent on the underside of the leaf. This gives the underside a stark white appearance. This makes it easy to spot this tree from a distance. The leaves are lanceolate and tapered at both ends. When they ahve a petiole it is often very short. the leaves are 2-4 inches long and ¼ to ½ inch wide.

Stem/Trunk:
The bark is gray-brown and in older trees, deeply fissured. Younger twigs are gray-brown to green-brown.

Root:
The roots of all species are extremely flexible and strong.

Flower Season:
Spring

Flower Appearance:
This species is dioecious (meaning that each individual is either male or female). The catkins on the male are typically 1½ to 2 inches long while those of the female tend to be 1¼ to 1½ inches long.

Seed/Fruit:
In mid-summer when they mature, the female catkins contain numerous small capsules that each contain multiple very small seeds embedded in white fluff. This fluff aids the tree to dispurse its seeds via the wind.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
There are over 400 species of willow in the world. Many species native to Europe and Asia have been transplanted as ornamentals throughout the world. As they escaped cultivation, they have become naturalized to these countries as well. Salix alba, or White Willow is one of these naturalized trees. It was originally native to Europe and Western and Central Asia.

Habitat:
Moist soils of swamps, dense woods, stream banks, or yards.

Parts Used:
Buds, catkins, Inner bark of trunk, root, or twigs.

Culinary Uses:
While not great tasting, the buds are edible when they emerge. So too are the catkins. Both can be eaten raw, or as a cooked vegetable. The inner bark is also edible, but only as a last resort. All willows should be considered as survival food.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Medicinal Uses:
As the family name Salicaceae implies, Salix species all contain salicylic acid, the forerunner of modern aspirin. A pain-relieving tea can be brewed from the inner bark of the willow. The caveat I would offer about Salix species, is that the Salicylate levels can vary greatly from species to species, as well as from individual to individual within the same species.

Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic, Antiarthritic, Anti-Inflammatory, Febrifuge, Odontalgic, Stomachic