shortfruit willow
Salix brachycarpa
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Pl. 07F2 — Salix brachycarpa
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IOverview
Overview
The shortfruit willow (Salix brachycarpa) is a deciduous shrub native to the western and northern regions of North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Known for its edible inner bark, leaves, and shoots, this plant thrives in moist or wet environments with light to medium soil types. It prefers full sun and can tolerate a range of hardiness zones from 4 to 8, making it adaptable to various climates within its native range. One distinctive feature is its ability to grow up to 1.4 meters tall, contributing to its ornamental value while also serving as a valuable food source for both humans and wildlife.
Quick answers
What is shortfruit willow?
The shortfruit willow (Salix brachycarpa) is a deciduous shrub native to the western and northern regions of North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
What is shortfruit willow used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of shortfruit willow
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: shortfruit willow appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Willow species, including shortfruit willow, have been traditionally used in Native American medicine for immune support. A decoction made from the inner bark or leaves may help bolster the body's natural defenses.
Salicin and other salicylates found in willows are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties that can modulate immune responses, though the specific mechanism is not fully characterised.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
shortfruit willow support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Shortfruit willow thrives in full sun and prefers moist to wet soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows up to 1.4 meters tall. For cultivation, gather edible parts such as the inner bark, leaves, and shoots. Skip specific product recommendations; focus on these basic needs for successful growth.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Mature size
1.4 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow shortfruit willow for the first time
8steps
Start with shortfruit willow for a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, gardening gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is moist and workable.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with light, medium, or heavy soil that stays moist. Ensure good drainage.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in late fall or early spring. For young plants, dig a hole twice as wide but the same depth as the root ball.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist. Monitor for signs of stress and adjust watering accordingly.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun exposure. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, especially in hot weather.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth starts. Harvest inner bark, leaves, and shoots as needed for culinary use.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to prune regularly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Inner barkLeavesShoots
Edible uses: The inner bark, leaves, and shoots of the shortfruit willow are edible. Typically, the inner bark is stripped from young branches and can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves and嫩芽（shoots）可以生食或煮熟。这种植物的食用部分包括内皮、叶子和嫩芽，通常可以直接食用或经过烹饪处理。
Other uses:Wind breakerDynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe8 regions
native (8)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusFranceRussia
Asia2 regions
native (2)AfghanistanChina
Africa1 region
native (1)Algeria
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Alberta, Nunavut, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Northwest Territorie, Colorado, Altay, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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