Salix hybrids
Various
Hybrid willows
What to Eat
Edible parts: Inner bark Leaves
See individual species. In some species the inner bark and leaves are edible.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Origin: N. Temperate, Africa, S. America. A wide natural distribution from the tropics to the arctic zones and are extensively cultivated around the world.
How to Identify
Salix hybrids is a deciduous Shrub growing to 25 m (82ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
How to Grow
Fodder: Bank Industrial Crop: Biomass Management: Coppice Minor Global Crop Other Systems: SRCClimate: , tropical highlands. Humidity: semi-arid to humid, aquatic. There are tree, shrub, and ground cover willows. Usually coppiced or pollarded when managing. Some coppiced willows have lived to 800 years. Easy to breed and hybridize. Willows are very cross-compatible, and numerous hybrids occur, both naturally and in cultivation. A well-known ornamental example is the weeping willow (Salix × sepulcralis), which is a hybrid of Peking willow (Salix babylonica) from China and white willow (Salix alba) from Europe. Breeding work has increased biomass yields 50% in the last few decades. European breeding emphasises Salix viminalis and four or five others while North America is based on Salix purpurea and others. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: minor global crop. Management: coppice (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).
Propagation: Seed
Medicinal Uses
Some. See individual species. Willow bark was the basis for aspirin development. Many cultures have used willow bark for pain relief, thanks to a compound in willow bark called salicin.
Other Uses
Basketry Biomass Fencing Filter Fodder Soil stabilization Weaving Wood. Wastewater treatment - converting wastewater to biomass fuel by taking up excess nutrients in warer for fertilizer. A strong, light flexible wood used for basketry, fencing and natural building. Erosion control and bank stabilization akong streams and rivers. Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: biomass (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Fodder: bank. The leaves are a good fodder for livestock. Other Systems: SRC. Dynamic accumulator.
Names & Synonyms
Willows, Sallows, Osiers, Willow Hybrids, Salix Hybrids
