Herb latin name: Salix matsudana
Synonyms: Salix pseudo-matsudana
Family: Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Medicinal use of Salix matsudana:The fresh bark of all members of this genus contains salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge.
Description of the plant:
Habitat of the herb:Banks of rivers.
Edible parts of Salix matsudana:Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then added to cereal flour for use in making bread etc. A very bitter flavour, it is a famine food that is only used when all else fails. Young shoots - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable. An emergency food, they are only used when all else fails.
Other uses of the herb:The stems are used for weaving wicker baskets. The wood is used for timber.
Propagation of Salix matsudana:Seed - must be surface sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring. It has a very short viability, perhaps as little as a few days. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November to February in a sheltered outdoor bed or planted straight into their permanent position and given a good weed-suppressing mulch. Very easy. Plant into their permanent positions in the autumn. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June to August in a frame. Very easy.
Cultivation of the herb:Banks of rivers.
Known hazards of Salix matsudana:None known
Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.