Salix mucronata (Silver willow)

[= Salix subserrata]

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid I > Order: Malpighiales > Family: Salicaceae > Genus: Salix

Salix mucronata, near Odzani R. Bridge, Zimbabwe. [photos Bart Wursten ©, Flora of Zimbabwe]

Identification

A bush or tree, growing up to 12 m high, with drooping branches and lanceolate leaves that are glossy green above and pale whitish-green below. The leaf edge can be smooth or toothed. The fruit is a small, dehiscent capsule and contains seeds that are covered with woolly hairs. Dioecious (i.e. has separate male and female plants).

This species is quite variable in appearance and was previously subdivided into a number of different species that are now downgraded to subspecies. These subspecies include: Salix mucronata hirsuta (Silver willow), Salix mucronata mucronata (Safsaf willow), Salix mucronata woodii (Flute willow), and Salix mucronata capensis (Small-leaved willow).

Distribution and habitat

Widespread through Africa and in southern Africa is found in most regions except for large parts of Namibia, Botswana, Northern Cape and Mozambique. Usually grows along stream and river banks.

Ecological interactions

• Flowers are eaten by:
  • Cercopithecus pygerythrus (Vervet monkey) - recorded by Palmer & Pitman (1972)
• Shoots and leaves are eaten by:
  • Hippopotamus amphibius (Hippopotamus) - recorded by Palmer & Pitman (1972)

Uses

• The light, soft wood is used for making:
  • rafters of houses
  • mortars for grinding maize (hollowing out of trunk)
  • bowls and jugs, which are smeared with fat to prevent cracking
  • musical instruments such as drums and fiddles
  • brake-blocks for sleds
• Sticks can be used to start a fire by friction through rubbing.
• The leaves are eaten by livestock and fed to chickens.
• Extracts of the leaves and shoots are used medicinally for treating fevers, headaches and rheumatism.
• There is a belief that twigs of this willow, when specially treated, can ward off storms and lightening.
• Trees are planted in gardens and on farms and are easily grown from cuttings or truncheons.

Links

• Salix mucronata Thunb. subsp. mucronata (Flora of Zimbabwe)

References

• Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
• Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Volume 1. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town.
• van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson