Goodding's Willow

Salix gooddingii

Physical Characteristics

Salix gooddingii is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 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

South-western N. America - California to Texas, south to Mexico.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Inner bark Manna Shoots Edible Uses: Tea A honeydew can be obtained from the cut branches[257]. The young shoots can be made into a tea[257]. Leaves and the bark of twigs can be steeped to make a tea[257]. The catkins can be eaten raw[257]. Bark - raw or cooked[257]. This probably refers to the inner bark[K].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiinflammatory Antiperiodic Antiseptic Astringent Diaphoretic Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge Hypnotic Sedative Tonic A decoction of the leaves and bark have been used as a febrifuge[257]. The following uses are for the closely related S. nigra. They probably also apply to this species. The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative, tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 165]. It has been used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, ovarian pains and nocturnal emissions[4]. The bark of this species is used interchangeably with S. alba. It is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory stages of auto-immune diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, feverish illnesses, neuralgia and headache[238]. The bark is removed during the summer and dried for later use[238]. The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[238]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[238]. The fresh bark contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[213]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[213] and as an ingredient of spring tonics[229].

Known Hazards

None known