Salix alba
FAMILY NAME Salicaceae
CHARACTERISTICS Tapering, slender leaves 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long, covered with silky hairs
HABITAT Riverbanks
DISTRIBUTION Europe, Western and Central Asia
FLOWERS AND FRUIT Catkins appear in early spring; once pollinated they form capsules of tiny seeds dispersed by the wind
With pale, slender leaves covered in downy white hairs, it’s easy to see why the White Willow is so popular with poets and artists. Though often thought of as a symbol of mourning, it was also a tree of celebration and its branches were used to decorate churches on Palm Sunday. Because it grows near water, the tree is associated with the moon and the Greek moon goddess Hecate. This mystical link meant that it was commonly thought of as the witch’s tree, because Hecate was known as the Queen of the Witches. Willow is often coppiced (cut down close to ground level) to produce long, flexible stems used to weave baskets, furniture and fences.