willows

Willows, or Salix, are a large genus of deciduous trees and shrubs in the family Salicaceae. They consist of several hundred species native to temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are commonly found along rivers, wetlands, and other moist sites. Willows are valued for rapid growth, drought tolerance in some species, and ecological functions such as erosion control.

Most willows have slender growth forms and long, flexible branches. Leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and typically narrow with finely serrated margins. They produce catkins in spring; male and female flowers occur on separate plants, making most willows dioecious. Flowers lack showy petals and rely on wind or insects for pollination. Seeds are often dispersed by wind and water and can germinate on damp soil.

Ecologically, willows colonize disturbed moist habitats and form dense thickets through root suckering and layering. They stabilize riverbanks, provide habitat for insects and birds, and serve as early-successional species after flood or clearing. Their fast growth and coppicing ability have made them important in agroforestry, landscape stabilization, and willow wood production.

Humans use willows for wood, baskets and wicker, and traditional medicine. Willow wood is soft and flexible, used in furniture, cricket bats, and canes. Willow bark contains salicin, a compound related to aspirin, and has long been used to treat pain and fever. Some species are cultivated ornamentally, while in some regions willows self-seed or spread aggressively and are managed accordingly.