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Summary
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Weeping.
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.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
S. pendula.
Plant 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].
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 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].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Basketry Hair Soil stabilization
Landscape Uses: Erosion control, Aggressive surface roots possible, Pollard, Specimen. The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[146, 272]. 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 extensive root system makes this species useful for binding soils[146, 272]. A decoction or infusion of the bark has been used as a wash to make the hair grow[257]. 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]. This species rarely thrives in Britain[11], it is very subject to canker and has been largely replaced in cultivation by S. 'Chrysocoma'[188]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[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. Special Features:
Not North American native, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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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: China
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 :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Salix acutifolia | Sharp-Leaf Willow | Shrub | 10.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix aegyptiaca | | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Salix alaxensis | Feltleaf Wiillow | Tree | 10.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Salix alba | White Willow | Tree | 25.0 |
2-8
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Salix alba caerulea | Cricket Bat Willow | Tree | 25.0 |
-
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Salix alba vitellina | Golden Willow | Tree | 20.0 |
-
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Salix 'Americana' | | Tree | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix amygdaloides | Peach Leaved Willow | Tree | 20.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix appendiculata | | Shrub | 6.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix arenaria | | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix atrocinerea | Rusty Sallow, large gray willow | Tree | 10.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Salix aurita | Eared Sallow | Shrub | 2.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DMWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix bakko | | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | |
| Salix bebbiana | Beak Willow, Bebb Willow | Shrub | 7.0 |
3-7
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Salix bonplandiana | Sauce, Bonpland willow | Tree | 10.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Salix 'Bowles hybrid' | | Tree | 5.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix brachycarpa | shortfruit willow | Shrub | 1.4 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix caprea | Goat Willow, Kilmarnock Willow, Pink Pussy Willow, Pussy Willow | Tree | 10.0 |
4-9
| F | LMH | SN | DMWe | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Salix chaenomeloides | Japanese Pussy Willow | Tree | 6.0 |
6-8
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix cinerea | Grey Willow, Large gray willow | Shrub | 5.0 |
2-7
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Salix commutata | undergreen willow | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix daphnoides | Violet Willow, Daphne willow | Tree | 10.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix decipiens | | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix eriocephala | Missouri Willow, Missouri River willow | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix exigua | Coyote Willow, Narrowleaf willow | Tree | 9.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix fluviatilis | River Willow | Tree | 7.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix 'Forbiana' | | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salix fragilis | Crack Willow | Tree | 15.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Salix gilgiana | Willow | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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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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