Sand Bar Willow

(Salix exigua)

Other Names:
Sandbar willow, narrowleaf willow, or coyote willow. (Synonyms S. argophylla, S. hindsiana, S. interior, S. linearifolia, S. luteosericea, S. malacophylla, S. nevadensis, and S. parishiana)

Range:


Family:
Salicaceae – Willow family

Growth Type:
A deciduous woody shrub.

Height:
Grows 4-7 meters in height. (approximately 13-23 feet)

Leaves:
The green to gray-green, narrow, lanceolate, leaves are 4–12 cm (approximately 1½–4½ in) long and 2–10 mm wide (up to approximately ½ inch) wide. When the leaves are young they are pubescent. This cpubescence may persist, or the leaves may become glabrous. The irregular leaf margin is coursely serrated. It is dioecious, with staminate and pistillate catkins on separate plants, the male catkins up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long, the female catkins up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long.

Stem/Trunk:
The bark of twigs and branches tend to be yellowish to brownish. The bark of the trunk and larger branches tends to be gray in color with that of older trees becoming deeply furrowed.

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

Flower Season:
Unlike most willows, the catkins of sand bar willows appear after the leaves in late spring.

Flower Appearance:
Like other willows S. exigua is dioecious; meaning individual plants are either male or female. Male catkins can grow to be 10 cm (approximately 4 inches) long. at 8 cm (approximately 3 nches) long female catkins are a bit shorter than those of the male.

Seed/Fruit:
The fruit is a cluster of capsules, each containing numerous minute seeds embedded in shiny white silk.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

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 is the inner bark. Both can be eaten raw, or as a cooked vegetable. These should only be considered a 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:
Salix spp., 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. If you find a tree that works well for you, keep using it. If at first you do not succeed, keep trying until you find one with enough salicin to alleviate your symptoms.

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