White willow, European willow
Salix alba
Family: Salicaceae
What it is like
A shapely deciduous tree. It often has 1-4 trunks and an open crown of spreading branches. It grows up to 20-25 m tall and 9-12 m wide. The leaves are silvery but blue-green and silky underneath. They are alternate and on short stalks. The leaves are 5-7 times as long as wide. The leaves have fine teeth. The male flowers are yellow catkins. The female flowers are green catkins. The seeds are fluffy. They are blown by the wind.
There are about 300 Salix species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to W. Asia and Europe. It grows along riversides and in meadows by water. It is frost hardy. It grows in damp soil. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 2-10. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Crete, Czech Republic, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The young leaves are used as food in times of scarcity. The leaves are also used for a tea like drink. The inner bark is dried and powdered then used for bread. (It is very bitter unless dried)
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Inner bark, leaves - tea, flowers, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Bhushan, Bis, Madnu, Malchang, Salgueiro-branco, Vivir