Salix caprea
Salix caprea
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Pl. D21A — Salix caprea
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IOverview
Overview
Salix caprea, commonly known as goat willow, belongs to the Salicaceae family and is native to a wide range of European and Asian regions including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, and more. This deciduous tree thrives in various soil types—light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay)—and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to different environments. Goat willow is known for its edible parts, which include the inner bark, leaves, and shoots, providing a valuable resource in certain regions. Its light requirement ranges from full sun to partial shade, and it is hardy within USDA zones 4-9, reaching heights of up to 10 meters. While primarily recognized for its ornamental value, goat willow also offers edible benefits, making it a versatile plant in both landscapes and traditional uses.
Quick answers
What is Salix caprea?
Salix caprea, commonly known as goat willow, belongs to the Salicaceae family and is native to a wide range of European and Asian regions including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, and more.
What is Salix caprea used for?
Traditionally used for digestion, stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Salix caprea
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Willow species, including Salix caprea, have been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for digestive issues such as indigestion and stomach pain. A decoction of the inner bark or leaves may help alleviate these symptoms.
Salicylates found in willows are thought to provide anti-inflammatory effects that can soothe gastrointestinal discomfort. However, the exact mechanism is not fully characterised.
- Traditional-use note: Salix caprea appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. 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.
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.
Salix caprea support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Salix caprea thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-9 and grows up to 10 meters tall. For propagation, use inner bark, leaves, or shoots. Water the plant according to its moisture needs, which can vary from dry to wet conditions.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-9
Mature size
10.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Salix caprea for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple Salix caprea planting to gain experience in basic gardening.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Salix caprea sapling, garden gloves, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late autumn when the soil is workable but not frozen.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil drains well; Salix caprea prefers light, medium, or heavy soils. For containers, use a mix of peat moss, perlite, and compost.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings from nurseries directly into the garden or larger pots if starting indoors.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun to partial shade, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune branches for shaping or remove dead wood as needed; inner bark, leaves, and shoots can be harvested but are not commonly done.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Inner barkLeavesShoots
Edible uses: Manna
Other uses:Weaving materialFire starterHedgerowLeatherPioneerWind breakerTanninLumberGround cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe19 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenUnited Kingdom
Asia1 region
native (1)Kazakhstan
Africa1 region
native (1)Morocco
Broader regions
native:Altay, Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, Transcaucasus
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
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · d21a93b0-b7fa-4a1d-91c3-b58a6efcb396
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