Salix gooddingii and Salix nigra are closely related and are sometimes treated as conspecific[].
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: Goodding's Willow

General Information

Salix gooddingii is a deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown; it can grow from 3 - 30 metres tall. The bole can be 60 - 90cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials
Salix gooddingii has an apparently stable population and no known threats.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

South-western N. America - California to Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, south to central Mexico.

Habitat

Riparian forests, springs, seepage areas, washes, meadows[]. Found in desert, desert grassland and oak woodland habitats, it is most abundant on nutrient-rich flood plains; at at elevations from 60 - 2,500 metres[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Salix gooddingii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant. It can also tolerate hot summers[, ].
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 prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, but also succeeds in alkaline desert soils so long as the water table is shallow, allowing the roots access to moisture[].
The plant responds very well to coppicing[].
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 gooddingii forms natural hybrids with Salix amygdaloides and Salix nigra[].
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

A honeydew can be obtained from the cut branches[].

The young shoots can be made into a tea[].
Leaves and the bark of twigs can be steeped to make a tea[].

The catkins can be eaten raw[].

Bark - raw or cooked[]. This probably refers to the inner bark[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves and bark have been used as a febrifuge[].

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 following uses are for the closely related S. nigra. They probably also apply to this species.

The bark is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, sedative, tonic[, , , , ]. It has been used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, ovarian pains and nocturnal emissions[]. 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant grows vigorously and has an extensive root system. It has proved useful for planting along streambanks in order to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion[].
A good bee plant, providing an early source of nectar[].

Other Uses

The stems are used in basket making. The native N. Americans used to debark the stems and then weave a basket so tight that it could be used to hold water[]. 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 small green branches can be split into two, peeled, twisted, dried and used for sewing coiled baskets[].

The bark has been used as a padding in babies cradles[].

The wood has been 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.