Common Osier, Basket willow, Silky osier
Salix viminalis
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
A shrub which loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 10 m tall and often has several flexible stems. The leaves are very long and narrow. They are green on top and have dense silvery hairs underneath. They have a sharp point and without teeth. The edges often roll inwards on the underside. Male and female catkins grow on separate twigs. The fruit are capsules covered with down. The fruit do not have stalks.
There are about 300 Salix species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It suits cool, moist soils. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Europe, Falklands, Greece, India, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, Slovenia, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Inner bark, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed, by layering or by using cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Beka