purple willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• basket willow
• purple osier
• purple willow
• purple-osier willow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salix monandra var. purpurea
• Knafia purpurea
• Salix helix var. purpurea
• Vetrix purpurea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salix purpurea is characterized by its affinity for highly moist and transitional environments, typically colonizing canals, meadows, and various riparian zones. It thrives in habitats defined by wet substrates, ranging from sandy soils to shoreline areas, and is frequently found integrated within dense shrubberies. This species demonstrates a remarkable capacity to adapt to varying moisture levels across diverse landscape features, from stable meadowlands to more dynamic, water-influenced shores. Furthermore, its ecological distribution extends to significant vertical gradients, with an elevational range mean reaching approximately 2700 m AMSL, indicating its ability to persist in high-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range mean:

2700 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, meadows: wet, sand, shores, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Salix purpurea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its natural habitat. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that supports its woody growth habit. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which helps it manage resources during dormant periods. Its biological strategy as a phanerophyte ensures its structural longevity, contributing to its ability to thrive within its specific ecological niche over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salix purpurea is characterized by its woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or parasitic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism. It is primarily a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, with a minimum recorded height of 0.9 m, a mean height of approximately 2.167 m, and a maximum height that can reach up to 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

2.167 m

Plant height min:

0.9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salix purpurea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptation strategies. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-derived nutrients rather than the capture of prey to meet its metabolic requirements. The plant's leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. These leaves possess a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 94.97 cm²/g, reflecting the structural investment and resource allocation efficiency within the leaf tissue. Furthermore, the structural integrity and biomass distribution of the plant are supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 569 mg/cm³.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

94.97 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

569 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salix purpurea is characterized by a sexual process through a dioecious breeding system, meaning individual plants are either male or female, and self-fertilization is notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in April. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollen transfer. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds are extremely lightweight, with a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 9e-05 g. To facilitate the spread of the species, Salix purpurea employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing the wind to transport its tiny seeds to new locations. There is no recorded evidence of asexual reproduction for this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass mean:

9e-05 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salix purpurea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavan-3-ol, Naringenin-7-O-glucoside, Picein, Populin.

CATECHIN

1. Fitoterapia

Flavan-3-ol

1. Fitoterapia

Naringenin-7-O-glucoside

1. Fitoterapia

Picein

1. Fitoterapia

Populin

1. Fitoterapia

Tremulacin

1. Fitoterapia

naringenin

1. Fitoterapia

salicin

1. Fitoterapia

salicortin

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Salix purpurea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Salix purpurea has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations