Salix purpurea

Salix purpurea, commonly known as Purple Willow, is a resilient deciduous shrub prized for its striking, slender stems. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Rich in salicin, it has historically been utilized in traditional medicine for its natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties to relieve pain.

  • Scientific name: Salix purpurea
  • Family: Salicaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Salicaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Salix.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Salicaceae WCVP
Genus Salix WCVP

Distribution

This plant, known as Salix purpurea, exhibits a specific geographical presence across Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced through several key regions, including Denmark and Great Britain. It is also found inhabiting the landscapes of Ireland. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Scandinavian territories of Norway and Sweden. These locations collectively define the primary northern habitats where this medicinal willow thrives.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP

Chemicals

Salix purpurea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Picein, catechin, flavan-3-ol, naringenin, naringenin 7-O-glucoside.

Total chemicals
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Picein 1 ★☆☆☆☆
catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavan-3-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
naringenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
naringenin 7-O-glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
populin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salicin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
salicortin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tremulacin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Salix purpurea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Salix purpurea has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆