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: Tealeaf Willow

General Information

Salix pulchra is a multi-stemmed, prostrate to ascending deciduous shrub; it usually grows from 10 - 300cm tall, occasionally reaching 450cm[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is planted alonl the banks of streams to stabilize tem and prevent erosion and is also planted on old mine wastes in order to restore the wildlife habitats.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - northern European Russia, eastern Siberia, Russian Far East; Northern N. America - Alaska and British Columbia to Nunavut

Habitat

Arctic boreal and subalpine thickets, stream and lake margins, tundra, black spruce-lichen woodlands, open white spruce-dwarf birch woodlands; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[]. Stream banks, lake sides, open woods etc in north-western N. America[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Salix pulchra is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -40°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[, , ].
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 pulchra forms natural hybrids with Salix planifolia and Salix scouleriana[].
This species is considered to be part of Salix phylicifolia by some botanists[].
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

Inner bark - raw or cooked[, ]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups or can be 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 tender young shoots - raw or cooked[]. Palatable[]. They are not very palatable[]. They can be used to make a sauerkraut[]. The leaves and shoots can be eaten with oil to make them more palatable[]. A good source of vitamin C, they are one of the first new leaves to be produced in the spring[]. The leaves can be added to soups or eaten in mixed salads[].

Catkins[]. No more details are given.

The dried leaves have been used to make a tea[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves and bark has been used as an anaesthetic[].The bark and the leaves have been chewed to numb the mouth and throat[]. They have also been chewed as a treatment for mouth sores and are said to make the mouth smell good[].

The cottony seed floss has been used to dry moist eyes[].

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[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

This is one of several willow species that are used for wildlife habitat restoration, streambank protection, and reclamation of sites disturbed by mining and construction[].

Other Uses

None known

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.