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: Violet Willow

General Information

Salix daphnoides is a deciduous shrub or a tree of erect, vigorous habit; it can grow up to 15 metres tall. The bole can be 20cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is cultivated for its bark, which is a rich source of the pharmaceutical 'salicin', and is also often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its attractive purple-violet bark in the winter and as a source of fresh catkins at Easter time[, , ].
Salix daphnoides has a wide distribution, occurs in a number of protected areas, and is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. However, it is concerning that the species is classed as threatened on various national red lists and research into the causes of those declines as well as adequate measures to prevent this are needed. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
Often grown as an ornamental, in soil stabilization projects, for use as a medicine etc, the plant has oftn escaped from cultivation in some areas and become naturalized[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Europe - Norway, Sweden, western Russia, south through the Baltic States to Spain, Italy, the Balkans and Romania

Habitat

Montane river banks and riverine scrub in alpine areas on sandy, pebbly and bouldery alluvia, often together with Salix elaeagnos and Myricaria germanica. Sometimes descending to lowlands along large rivers, and also found on loose dune sand[]

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Salix daphnoides 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 succeeds in poor strong soils[], and also in maritime exposure[].
A very ornamental and fast growing plant[, ]. There are some named varieties. It is cultivated in North America and particularly in central and eastern Europe as an ornamental plant especially for cutting the flowering twigs (willow catkins} for the Christian rite on Palm Sunday, Easter decorations[].
The flowers are dioecious, male and female flowers being produced on separate plants. If seed is required then at least one plant of each sex need to be growing in reasonable proximity[].
Hybridization in the genus is common, especially when species are brought together in cultivation[].
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, including this one, are known to cause problems by growing into drains and drainage systems as their roots seek out moisture[]. It is best not to plant this species within 10 metres of buildings.
Species in this genus are often notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

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 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 has been used as a source of salicyl production[].
The whole or fragmented dried bark is used as a traditional herbal medicinal product for the symptomatic relief of minor articular pain, fever and headache[].
Green aspirin derived from this species is described in the European Pharmacopoeia as it has a high content of salicin and, along with Salix purpurea, is one of the most important for medicinal value[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Planted for dune and bank stabilization, recovering lignite mining areas in Germany and timber[].
Trees are fast growing and tolerate maritime exposure so can be grown as a shelterbelt[]. They are also sometimes grown as a screen in gardens[].
Plants have extensive root systems and are often used to stabilize sand dunes[, ].
The flowers are a good early source of nectar for bees[].

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.

The bark is a source of tannins[]. It contains from 5.7 - 11.5% tannin[].

Extracts of both the bark and also the young stems are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as skin conditioners[].

Wood - soft, even grained, smooth. Used for construction, pales, tubs etc[, ].

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.