This taxon has long been known either under the name of Salix vitellina or as Salix alba vitellina. Research has now shown that it is a hybrid, combining the features of its two parents (Salix alba and Salix euxina). Consequently it has now been renamed as Salix × fragilis vitellina[].
The genus Salix, as recognised in 2019, is comprised of probably more than 300 distinct species (over 500 if you also accept hybrid species). Many of these species are very similar, sometimes being separated as much by native range as by any other characteristic. Hybridization between species is common, when this is coupled with the high genetic and morphological variability within many species, and different levels of ploidy, the complexity of this genus is clear.
Misidentification of specimens is not rare, even amongst botanists, and many records of plant use will often equally apply to one or more related species that were not seen as distinct when the report was made. Equally, several species not included in the database will be found to have a range of these uses. In general, all species in the genus have medicinal uses, especially as antiinflammatories, analgesics and febrifuges, they can all serve as emergency foods, many of them have flexible stems and can be used in basket making, and many of them can be planted in moist to wet conditions in order to stabilize the soil and improve wildlife habitats.

Common Name: Golden Willow

General Information

Salix fragilis vitellina is a usually upright, deciduous tree that can grow around 15 - 20 metres tall.
This species is a very important source of stems for use in basketry and is is often cultivated for this purpose. It is also a commonly grown ornamental plant, being valued especially for its form and attractive stem colours. Like the wild species of which it is a hybrid, it can also be used as a food, medicine and source of other materials and can be grown in shelterbelts and to stabilize soils.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

A hybrid species, probably arising in western Asia (Turkey). Widely naturalized throughout much of Europe

Habitat

Low lying or hilly ground, usually on wet soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Salix fragilis vitellina is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant.
Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[], but prefers a damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[]. Rarely thrives on chalk[] and dislikes poor thin soils[]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and atmospheric pollution[, ].
This is a hybrid species involving Salix alba and Salix euxina; it includes both male and female forms. There are many named cultivars that are grown either to provide material for basket making or as ornamental plants, where they are valued especially for their attractively coloured bark[].
The cultivar 'Basfordiana' is used for basket making[].
Trees respond well to coppicing or pollarding[].
Best planted into its permanent position as soon as possible, trees respond badly to transplanting unless they are moved regularly[].
Trees cast a relatively light shade, but their root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[].
A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[] and a good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar and pollen[].
The female of this sub-species has been cultivated for its very tough stems that are used as tie rods in basket making[, ].
This species is used commercially in papermaking[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially S. fragilis, to which it is closely related[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Growing in harsh and difficult environments, as many willows do (they can be found within the arctic circle, on mountains and even in the desert), Salix species have often been utilized as an emergency food source. They are, indeed, often a highly favoured food source for birds and mammals and, whilst few species would lay claim to culinary excellence for humans, the young shoots and inner bark are both edible eaten either raw or cooked[].

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[].

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[, ]. Not very palatable[]. They are used only in times of scarcity[].

The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

Justly famous as the original source of salicylic acid (the precursor of aspirin), white willow and several closely related species such as this one have been used for thousands of years to relieve joint pain and manage fevers[].
The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative and tonic[, , , , ]. It has been used internally in the treatment of dyspepsia connected with debility of the digestive organs[], rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory stages of auto-immune diseases, feverish illnesses, neuralgia and headache[]. Its tonic and astringent properties render it useful in convalescence from acute diseases, in treating worms, chronic dysentery and diarrhoea[].
The fresh bark is very bitter and astringent[]. It contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[].
The bark is harvested in the spring or early autumn from 3 - 6 year old branches and is dried for later use[, ].

The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[]. An infusion of the leaves has a calming effect and is helpful in the treatment of nervous insomnia[].
When added to the bath water, the infusion is of real benefit in relieving widespread rheumatism[].
The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast growing tree and tolerant of maritime exposure, it can be grown as a shelterbelt[].
The plant has an aggressive, spreading root system and is of value for planting on slopes to stabilize the soils.

Other Uses

Young stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[, , ]. 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 can be used for tying plants[].
A fibre obtained from the stems is used in making paper[]. The stems are harvested in spring or summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten with mallets or put through a blender. The paper is red/brown in colour[].

Wood - elastic, soft, easy to split, does not splinter. Used for construction, turnery, poles, tool handles etc[, , ]. Also used to make charcoal[].

Propagation

This is a hybrid species and seed does not generally brred true.
Willow seed is very small and light, and has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days in some species. It must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe. In nature the seed only germinates in disturbed soils in an open situation. In nursery conditions, sow the seed in a tray in a moderately sunny position and keep the soil moist. Germination is usually quite rapid - prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on until large enough to plant out. Plants generally establish better if planted out whilst quite small.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth or older can root at almost any time of the year, though late autumn is considered best as this produces a better balance of root and stem growth the following spring[]. Plant them in a sheltered outdoor nursery bed or straight into their permanent position and give them a good weed-suppressing mulch. Most species are very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the following autumn.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early to mid summer in a frame. Very easy.