Carolina or Coastal Willow

Salix caroliniana Michx.
(SAY-liks ca-ro-lin-ee-AN-a)

General:

The most common willow of Florida, it grows at the edges of lakes, streams and rivers. This deciduous, shrubby tree grows to 10 m. (30 ft.) in height. It has many long, narrow leaves arranged on long, willowy branches. The genus name, Salix, is derived from two Celtic words meaning ‘near water.’

If you chew a leaf, you may recognize the familiar taste of ASPIRIN. It contains the same major ingredient of that headache/fever reduction medication, and has been used for that purpose by Native Americans. In folk medicine, an inner bark decoction has been used for severe colds, fever, diarrhea and dysentery.
The long, flexible branches are used for making willow chairs and tables. When split, the wood is used to make baskets.

Flowers/Fruit:

The flowers are born in attractive catkins that emerge at the same time as the new leaves. The silk-tipped seeds are released from small pods that split open in the spring.

Leaves/Stems:

Alternate, simple, lanceolate leaves are from 8-20 cm. (5-8 in.) long and 1-3 cm. (3/8-1 in.) wide. The margins are finely serrated (toothed). The upper surfaces are smooth and dark green, while the lower surfaces of the leaves are glaucous (whitish). The stems are strong, long and limber, giving meaning to the term “willowy.”

Distribution:

It is found in freshwater wetlands throughout the peninsula, but rarely in the Keys. A southern species, it is found from FL to TX, n. to MD, inland to PA and WV, and along the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys to MO. It is also found in Cuba.