Weeping Willow, Babylon Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica

Basic Information

Family: Salicaceae

Genus: salix

Plant ID (slug): salix-babylonica

Numeric ID: 25030

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Salix babylonica is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

The origin of this species is obscure.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark Leaves Manna Shoots Edible Uses: Tea Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then added to cereal flour for use in making bread etc. A very bitter flavour, it is a famine food that is only used when all else fails[172]. Young shoots and flower buds - cooked[105, 177, 183]. Not very palatable[172]. Older leaves are used to adulterate tea[183]. A source of a manna-like substance[183].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antirheumatic Astringent Febrifuge Poultice Skin The leaves and bark are antirheumatic, astringent and tonic[178, 240]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of abscesses, carbuncle, fever, rheumatism, skin diseases, ulcers etc[218]. An infusion of the bark has been used to treat diarrhoea and fevers[257]. The bark can be used as a poultice[257]. The stem bark is used in the treatment of skin eruptions due to parasites[218]. The root bark is used in a bath for the treatment of parasitic skin diseases[218]. A gum from the stems is used in the treatment of foul sores[218]. The down of the seeds is used in the treatment of fevers, haemorrhages, jaundice, rheumatism etc[218]. The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[226], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[213]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[226].