Salix daphnoides
Salix daphnoides
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Pl. 8E47 — Salix daphnoides
Salix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoidesSalix daphnoides
IOverview
Overview
Salix daphnoides, commonly known as the willow-leaved winterberry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to central and southern Europe. It thrives in moist, wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils. This plant can grow up to 10 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-8. Known for its edible parts—flowers, inner bark, leaves, roots, and shoots—it has been utilized as a food source. Its range extends across Austria, the Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia. One distinctive feature is its willow-like leaves, which contribute to its classification within the Salicaceae family.
Quick answers
What is Salix daphnoides?
Salix daphnoides, commonly known as the willow-leaved winterberry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to central and southern Europe. It thrives in moist, wet conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils. This plant can grow up to 10 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-8.
What is Salix daphnoides 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 Salix daphnoides
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Salix daphnoides 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.
- Willow species, including Salix daphnoides, have been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support immune function. A decoction of the inner bark or leaves may help bolster the body's natural defenses.
Salicylates found in willows are thought to modulate inflammatory responses and enhance immune activity, though the specific mechanisms are 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.
Salix daphnoides support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Salix daphnoides thrives in full sun and prefers moist to wet soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows well in hardiness zones 4-8 and can reach a height of 10 meters. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently damp as this will support healthy growth. Propagation can be done through root cuttings or by dividing established plants. The plant is edible, with various parts such as flowers, inner bark, leaves, roots, and shoots being usable.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Mature size
10.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Salix daphnoides for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Salix daphnoides in a moist, well-draining soil and full sun to ensure success.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Salix daphnoides sapling or seeds, a trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is moist, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. For containers, use a mix of light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings or sow seeds directly into the ground at a depth of 0.5-1 inch. Space plants about 3 meters apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape. Avoid over-fertilizing.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune branches annually to encourage healthy growth and remove any dead or diseased wood.
- 8
Common mistakes
Over-watering, under-planting too close together, using heavy fertilizers, and neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersInner barkLeavesRootShoots
Edible uses: The inner bark, leaves, flowers, shoots, and roots of Salix daphnoides are edible. Typically, the inner bark is prepared by peeling it from young branches and can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves and flowers may also be consumed fresh or dried for later use. Shoots are often harvested in spring and can be eaten raw or used in various culinary preparations. Roots are less commonly utilized but can be eaten after processing.
Other uses:Weaving materialWind breakerErosion controlLumberDynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe19 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNorwayPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraine
Asia2 regions
native (2)AfghanistanChina
Africa1 region
native (1)Algeria
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, East Aegean Is., Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Altay
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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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 8e47a979-c0d9-4c9f-9dbd-b35b0946e541
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