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Common Name: Violet Willow

General Information

Salix daphnoides is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10.00 metres tall.
It has edible, medicinal and miscellaneous uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe to W. Asia as far as the Himalayas. Scarcely naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Moist soils.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, including wet, ill-drained or intermittently flooded soils[], but prefers a deep damp, heavy soil in a sunny position[, ]. Rarely thrives on chalk[]. Succeeds in poor strong soils[]. Succeeds in maritime exposure[].
The root system is rather aggressive and can cause problems with drains[]. It is best not to plant this species within 10 metres of buildings.
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Although the flowers are produced in catkins early in the year, they are pollinated by bees and other insects rather than by the wind[].
A very ornamental and fast growing plant[, ]. There are some named varieties.
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

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[].
Young shoots - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable[]. Rich in vitamin C[].
Young catkin-bearing shoots - raw or cooked[].
The growing tips of underground rhizomes are peeled and eaten[].

Medicinal

The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin[], which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body[]. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge[].

Other Uses

The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[, , , , ] or for making wattle and daub walls[]. 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.
Trees are fast growing and tolerate maritime exposure so can be grown as a shelterbelt[].
Plants have extensive root systems and are often used to stabilize sand dunes[, ].
Wood - soft, even grained, smooth. Used for construction, pales, tubs etc[, ].

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, late autumn to late winter 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, early summer to August in a frame. Very easy.