Purple osier willow, Alaska blue willow, Arctic willow
Salix purpurea

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A shrubby tree. It grows to 5 m high. It spreads 5 m wide. The shoots arch over and are purple. The leaves are narrow and oblong. They are bluish green above and paler underneath. The flower catkins are red but become purple-black.

There are about 300 Salix species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Bolivia, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, China, Denmark, Eurasia, Europe, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, North America, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fresh leaves are boiled in water for tea.

Edible parts

Inner bark, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Rdeča vrba

Synonyms

Knafia purpurea (L.) Opiz; Salix monandra Ard.; and others