Salix purpurea Purple osier (Salicaceae) Deciduous tree

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Salix purpurea
Purple osier
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Salix purpurea plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Salicaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Purple osier. Some home gardeners know the variety as S. helix. non L.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Salix purpurea
Common Name:  Purple osier
Family:  Salicaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  5   Mature Width:  5

Habitat:  Wet places in lowland areas[13, 17], preferring neutral or alkaline soils[186].

Edible Uses: Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then added to cereal flour for use in making bread etc. A very bitter flavour, it is a famine food that is only used when all else fails[172]. Young shoots - raw or cooked. They are not very palatable[172].

For further Salix purpurea gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future