Weeping Willow
Researched by Lilliana De Salas
Species: Salix babylonica
Common name: Weeping willow
Family: Salicacae (Willow Family)
Clade: Angiosperms (flowering seed plants)
Coordinates: 39.70903474, -75.11408088
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.
The weeping willow originated in Northern China and may have been brought to Europe and Central Asia in the 1700s. Experts today believe there are no more original Northern Chinese weeping willow trees in the wild and that the weeping willows seen today are hybrid trees or an entirely different species.
Weeping willows tend to grow in the Northern Hemisphere. They are usually found near water and enjoy full sunlight. While the tree prefers to grow in more acidic conditions, it can tolerate neutral and alkaline soils. When soils are highly acidic and/or contain heavy metal particles like mercury and lead, the willow can absorb pollutants, making it a better environment for other plant growth.
Known as Salix babylonica, the tree was named by Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy. The willow has ties to Ancient Greece, as the father of medicine, Hippocrates, used its bark for medicinal properties. The bark produces a metabolite called salicin, which acts like aspirin and is used to relieve pain. The tree also produces metabolites called flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Read More
Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography
Lilliana De Salas
Lilliana De Salas earned her degree in Biological Sciences in 2023, and is currently working toward a PhD.
Suggested Citation:
De Salas, Lilliana. (2022, Dec). Weeping Willow. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/weeping-willow/
Questions to Explore
- Why does the willow tree prefer acidic soils?
- Why is the willow tree so susceptible to diseases?
- How did Native Americans use the Weeping Willow tree?
- What are the medicinal benefits of the willow?
References
Adams, G. (2020, November 17). Weeping willow trees as a habitat for wildlife. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved October 11, 2022. | Link
Fu, G., Yang, X., Han, K., & Xie, H. (2021). Effects of exogenous selenium on physiological characteristics of Salix babylonica under 2,4-dinitrophenol stress. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. | Link
Hussain, A., Saleem Wani, M., Yaqoob, U., Majid Wani, A., & Musnshi, A. H. (2013). Distribution Pattern, Population Density, Phenological Episodes and Morphometric Analysis of Salix Babylonica, 5–11.
Salix Babylonica – Plant Finder. (n.d.). | Link
Salix Babylonica. Salix babylonica (Babylon Weeping Willow, Silver Willow, Weeping Willow) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. (n.d.). | Link
Willow Bark. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). | Link.
Rowan University Resources
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Influence of density on properties of compressed weeping willow wood panels | Link
Willow (Salix babylonica) Extracts Can Act as Biostimulants for Enhancing Salinity Tolerance of Maize Grown in Soilless Culture | Link
Genetic chracterisation of the invasive Salix babylonica in South Africa | Link