Sauce, Bonpland willow
Salix bonplandiana
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
Salix bonplandiana is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 10
Where it is found
Wet soils along streams mostly in mountains, also in deserts; with oaks, pinyons, and junipers.
Origin:Mesoamerica. Native to Mexico. Widely distributed from the southwestern United States (California, Utah, Arizona), reaching Guatemala through most of the Mexican territory.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
United States; Mexico; Guatemala. Native to southern and southwest Mexico and extending into central Guatemala. Also found in South-western N. America - Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
A species with potential for the restoration of eroded riparian zones It has been used in areas subject to degradation due to wind or water erosion. It has been planted for restoration purposes in Xochimilco, Tláhuac (Mixquic) and in Durango, Mexico. Agroforestry system. Widely used in the Agrosystem known as "chinampa" (small, stationary, artificial island built on a freshwater lake for agricultural purposes). It is planted as a windbreak to protect crops from wind, hail and storms and to retain soil and moisture. Ornamental tree in streets and avenues. Carbon Farming Solutions - Other Systems: chinampas. Dynamic accumulator.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Other Systems: Chinampas: Aquaforestry. Long, narrow raised beds built in swamps.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Other Systems: Chinampas: Aquaforestry. Long, narrow raised beds built in swamps.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
Climate: tropical highlands. Humidity: aquatic. A low tolerance to shade. Tolerant of acid soils, excessively humid. Ideal to grow in the margins of rivers. Becomes evergreen southward in Mexico. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: coppice (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).
Propagating it: Asexual reproduction - hardwood cuttings, up to 1.5 m long and plant early spring so that they take root quickly. Seed (seedlings). Seedlings to maintain high humidity until the seedlings have been established
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Ahuejote, sauce, Ahujote, huejote, Aguejote, Ahuejote, Willow, Bonpland willow
Synonyms
Pleiarina bonplandiana (Kunth) N.Chao & G.T.Gong. Salix bonplandiana var. bonplandiana. Salix bonplandiana var. toumeyi (Britton) C.K.Schneid. Salix toumeyi Britton.This species contains the following infraspecific taxa. Salix bonplandiana var. pallida (Kunth) Andersson.