Sussexsarah's Garden
willow
Genus: Salix.
Species: salix.
Willow the wonder plant.
The most extraordinary thing about willow is that it will root really easily from hard or soft wood cuttings. Because of this people cut long branches and weave them into fantastic shapes and arbours whilst still green. Then the next spring they sprout and turn into living sculptures.
Willow also produces an aspirin substitute in their bark, so if you have a headache chewing a twig will help - though I wouldnt take it in any great quantity without knowing what I was doing. The twigs also make a good camp toothbrush.
Finally of course it is one of the few trees that can cope - indeed loves being water logged and flooded occasionally.
