Japanese Pussy Willow

Salix chaenomeloides

Physical Characteristics

Salix chaenomeloides is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in) at a fast rate. It is not frost tender. 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

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: 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 - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable[172].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Febrifuge 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].

Known Hazards

None known