Peachleaf willow (Plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque)

Peachleaf willow

Salix amygdaloides

Summary ⁹

Salix amygdaloides is a species of willow that is native to southern Canada and much of the United States and is commonly known as peachleaf willow. The tree grows very quickly to heights between 10-60 feet but is short-lived.

Botanical Information ¹⁰

Salix amygdaloides, also known as the peachleaf willow, grows to about 30-50’ tall. The leaves are about 1-5 inches long and about 1-4 centimeters wide. The upper leaf surface is yellow-green and the lower surface is whitish bluish waxy. The peachleaf willow normally blooms during the months of May and June. They contain small flowers called “yellow catkins.” The flowers are normally smaller than 4 inches. They are small and long, they contain seeds and fruits. The small catkins flowers help distribute pollen to the rest of the plants.

Ecological Information ¹¹

They are found near wetlands for example, rivers, ponds, or even swamps. In New Mexico, they are most commonly found along the Rio Grande. The atmosphere must be a little moist. It is useful in preventing soil erosion along the banks of rivers due to the extensive root system of the tree. The peach leaf willow is also a good "pioneer species" as it easily grows in areas that have been disturbed or clear cut, as long as there is sufficient moisture. It provides good conditions for other native trees to start growing, and it is not very shade tolerant so it is eventually out-competed by those trees, allowing them to re-establish themselves in the disturbed ecosystem.

Ethnobotanical Information ¹¹

The peach leaf willow has been used for many different things. Native tribes including the Cheyenne and Okanagan-Colville used the plant as medicine. The fresh bark contains salicin which is closely related to aspirin and it has the same effects on the body. Therefore, the bark of the tree can be used as an anti-inflammation medicine. The bark is the most effective part of the tree. It was used for basket weaving, which was used for containing water. The bark was also used for making hunting spears because of how sturdy it is once it is dried. (Note: Ethnographic reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.) The closely related species, coyote willow, can be used in the same way medicinally as well as for building material, is found in abundance and the population is more stable in the changing ecosystem. Therefore, it is better for the environment to use coyote willow instead of peachleaf willow.

References ¹²

2018, http://eol.org/pages/585415/details. Accessed 6 Sept 2018.
http://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/3518/
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/s/salix-amygdaloides=peach-leaved-willow.php

Bosque Field Guide
Cartron, Lightfoot, Mygatt, Brantley, Lowrey. (2008). A Field Guide to the Plants and Animals of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. (p. 96). New Mexico, University of New Mexico Press.

About the Author ¹¹

Student author(s)*: Kwani from Menaul High School

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

(c) Dan Mullen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/8583446@N05/3533886982
(c) Jenna Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jenna Braun
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/15309438432/
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/27541934965/
(c) Owen Clarkin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Owen Clarkin
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/27442912282/
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4018709988/
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/49019734902/
Adapted by caseynm from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) kcortes11, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) kcortes11, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

Color	yellow
Type	Shrub, tree
Flower	spiky
Uses	medicinal

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