Tealeaf willow, Diamond leaf willow
Salix pulchra

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 1.3 m high in the tundra. It grows 2 m high in forests. The stem is brown. The leaves are narrow. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The flowers are thick, large catkins.

The leaves have 10 the Vitamin C of oranges.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in the tundra in Alaska. It grows along streams and in protected hollows in Alaska.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Canada, North America, Russia, Siberia, USA

How it is used for food

The young leaf buds are eaten. The very young leaves can be stored in seal oil. The buds are bitter at first but become sweet with chewing. They are also boiled with meat. The dried leaves are used for tea.

Edible parts

Leaf buds, leaves, inner bark

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Churah, Cuyaqsuut, Cuyakegglit, Ptarmigan willow, Ququngaq, Quqyuguat, Sura, Uqvigayagaat

Synonyms

Salix anadyrensis Flod.; Salix phylicifolia subsp. pulchra (Cham.) Hulten; Salix planifolia subsp. pulchra (Cham.) Argus; Salix pulchra var. anadyrensis A. K. Skvortsov;