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: Bay Willow

General Information

Salix pentandra is a deciduous shrub or a tree with a spreading top; in difficult terrain it might only reach 3 - 5 metres, otherwise it can grow from 15 - 18 metres tall[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its glossy leaves[].
Salix pentandra has a wide range and no major threats. There are no population estimates for this species across its range, but it is likely to be large due to its wide distribution. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Cultivated in Europe and Siberia especially for dike and bank stabilization. Occasionally grown as a windbreak on the coasts, for ornament, as a street tree, and for wood production. In North America also planted for its rods[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, , ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to the UK and Spain, east through Russia and the Balkans to western Siberia, Mongolia, western and northern China

Habitat

Grassy bogs, wet meadows and swampy valleys, inundated areas, and damp woods. Forest tundra, forest and steppe belt; in the mountains up to the forest zone; at elevations up to 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Salix pentandra is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant.
Salix species generally require an open position and abhor dryness at the roots. Whilst many can be found in wet or boggy soils, and prefer a damp, heavy soil, most will grow well in a range of moist but well-drained soils so long as they are fairly deep. Very few are at home in chalky soils[, , ].
This species is not as fast-growing as many other Salix species[].
Cultivated for its use in basket making, there are several named varieties[]. The plant is also often grown for its ornamental value[].
The dried or bruised leaves have a sweet aromatic fragrance[]. The scent resembles oil of wintergreen and is due to the presence of salicyl aldehyde[].
Best planted into its permanent position when young[].
The plant responds well to coppicing and can be pollarded[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially Salix alba, Salix x fragilis, and Salix triandra[, ].
Salix species are unusual in as much as, although they produce their flowers in catkins, these are insect rather than wind pollinated. Indeed, the flowers of many species are excellent sources of nectar for bees and other insects, especially valuable are those species that flower early in the growing season[].
The roots of Salix species are often vigorous and extensive and can range some distance from the plant. Several species are known to cause problems by growing into drains and drainage systems as their roots seek out moisture[].
Species in this genus are often notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

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[].
We have no specific information for this species, but the inner bark can be eaten fresh or it can be dried, ground into a powder and then added to cereal flour for use in making bread etc. It has a very bitter flavour, The young shoots are also somewhat bitter and not very appetizing - unless you are really hungry of course![].

Medicinal

The bark, twigs, leaves, leaf buds, and flower buds of all Salix species contain phenolic glycosides, particularly salicin and salicortin (which breaks down when the plant material is damaged to produce salicin). The quantity of these compounds can vary greatly between species, and even within geographical races of the same species. Taste is a simple test to ascertain levels of these compounds - the more bitter the flavour, the more compounds it contains[].
Salicin has several valuable medicinal properties. In particular it is an effective antiinflammatory and pain reliever, and is also a valuable febrifuge[].
Modern medicine has used salicin as a pathway to producing the common pain reliever aspirin and, until a totally synthetic pathway of producing the medicine was discovered, several Salix species were harvested on a commercial basis to obtain salicin.
Many Salix species have a history of traditional use (not always documented). All parts of the plant can be used, but the bark is more commonly employed. Their pain-relieving and antiinflammatory properties make them useful in the treatment of verious conditions including headaches, neuralgia and joint pains, whilst they can also be very helpful in the treatment of fevers[, ].

The bark of this species is used interchangeably with Salix alba. It is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout, inflammatory stages of auto-immune diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, feverish illnesses, neuralgia and headache[]. The bark is removed during the summer and dried for later use[].

The leaves are used internally in the treatment of minor feverish illnesses and colic[]. The leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and are used fresh or dried[].

The bark has been harvested on a commercial basis for the extraction of salicyl[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The catkins are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The stems are very flexible and are used in basket making[]. They are used for rough wickerwork, fascines and fences[]. 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.

Young stems are used to make cordage[].

The bark is a source of tannins[]. It contains 5.7 - 10.3% tannin[].

The seed hairs have been used in Central Europe for making felt[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[].

The dried leaves have a pleasant aromatic aroma and can be used in pot-pourri[].

The wood is firmer than in many other species[]. It is used for timber and odd jobs[, ].
The wood is more dense than many other willos and is used for fuel[].

Propagation

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.