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Salix exigua - Nutt.

Common Name Coyote Willow, Narrowleaf willow
Family Salicaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forms thickets in estuaries and swamps[199]. Sandy gravelly or mucky soils in or along watercourses, often invading fresh sandbars in rivers and streams[229].
Range N. America - Alaska to New Brunswick, south through central N. America to Texas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Salix exigua Coyote Willow, Narrowleaf willow


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Salix exigua Coyote Willow, Narrowleaf willow
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 1: 594.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Salix exigua is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in June. 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. argophylla. Nutt. S. interior. Rowlee.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Drink

The leaves have been used to make a drink like orange juice[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anodyne  Astringent  Febrifuge

The bark has been used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and certain fevers[257]. A decoction of the dried roots has been used in the treatment of venereal diseases[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

Baby care  Basketry  Fibre  Pioneer  Soil reclamation  Soil stabilization  String  Teeth

The flexible branches are used in basket making[226, 257]. 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 bark is used to make rope and string[226, 257]. The fibres in the bark have been woven to make clothing, bags and blankets[226, 257]. The shredded inner bark has been used to make sanitary towels and babies' nappies[226]. The twigs have been used as toothbrushes[226]. Plants have an extensive root system, spreading rapidly with long surface roots that produce numerous suckers. They are used in soil stabilization projects[199] and also in reclaiming sandbars etc from rivers[229]. This is a vigorous fast-growing species that paves the way for longer-lived woodland trees. It is intolerant of much shade and is eventually out-competed by the other trees[229].

Special Uses

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]. Plants send out underground stems from which new branches sprout. They quickly form dense thickets[229]. The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[200]. It is best not to plant this species within 10 metres of buildings. 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

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia (west), New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Canada (Québec (south), Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan (south), Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), Mexico (Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave)

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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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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

11200274

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