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Salix sitchensis - Sanson. ex Bone.

Common Name Sitka Willow
Family Salicaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found mainly on rich mucky or other moist soils on the banks of streams and in low moist ground[82, 229].
Range Western N. America - Alaska to California, east to Montana.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Salix sitchensis Sitka Willow


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Salix sitchensis Sitka Willow
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Salix sitchensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 7 m (23ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Salix coulteri. Salix cuneata

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

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 - cooked. Not very palatable[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Febrifuge  Stomachic  Tonic  Vulnerary

A concoction made from the boiled bark is used as a tonic[226, 257]. The bark is pounded and applied to wounds as a healing agent[229, 257]. An infusion of the stems has been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[257]. 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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Fibre  Wood

Succeeds in wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[1, 11]. The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[46, 61, 229]. The plant is usually coppiced annually when grown for basket making, though it is possible to coppice it every two years if thick poles are required as uprights. The roots have been used to make baskets[257]. The bark is peeled, twisted and used for cordage[61, 118, 257]. Wood - light, soft, close grained[82]. Used for fuel[226]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[1, 11], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[200]. Rarely thrives on chalk[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[11]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring. It has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November to February in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position and given a good weed-suppressing mulch. Very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame. Very easy.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Far East (Far East (Okhotsk)) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia), United States (Alaska (s. & s.e.), Idaho (north), Montana (northwest), Oregon, Washington, California (north & central), Nevada (west))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Sanson. ex Bone.

Botanical References

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Subject : Salix sitchensis  
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