Salix alba

Salix alba, also known as the white willow, is a species of willow native to Europe and western and central Asia. The name salix alba comes from the Latin words for "willow" and "white," referring to the color of the tree's leaves.

Description

The white willow is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree that typically grows to a height of 10–30 m (33–98 ft) with a trunk up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter. The bark is grey-brown and deeply fissured in older trees. The shoots in the typical species are grey-brown to green-brown. The leaves are paler than most other willows, due to a covering of very fine, silky white hairs.

Distribution and habitat

White willow is native to Europe and central and western Asia. It is found from the UK eastwards throughout Europe to western Asia, in the south to northern Africa and in the north to the Arctic Circle. The tree is typically found on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Uses

White willow has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. The bark contains salicin, a compound that is metabolized into salicylic acid in the human body. Salicylic acid is the precursor to aspirin, and white willow bark has been used as a pain reliever in various cultures for over 2,000 years.

Cultivation

White willow is often grown for its ornamental value, particularly for its striking white leaves. It is also used in the production of cricket bats and other wooden items.

See also

• List of Salix species
• Willow
• Salicin

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