Salix eriocephala aka Heart Leaf Willow

Salix eriocephala is a deciduous shrub in the willow family, Salicaceae. Common names include Missouri willow and heart-leaved willow. Its native range spans eastern Canada and north-central and eastern America. It grows near rivers, creeks and swamps, including river sandbars. Wild plants occur in sandy ground and rocky soils. This is a temperate species, not native to Britain or Ireland.

The shrub reaches about 13 feet [4 metres] in height. It grows fast and can have a fairly long life. Its tough, pliant stems have value for basket making. Growers can cut plants back each year for basket stems. A two-year cutting cycle yields thicker poles for basket uprights. The wood also serves for fence posts. It lasts longer than the wood of many other willows.

Flowers form catkins in April, before the main growing season. Each plant bears either male or female flowers, not both. Bees and other insects carry pollen between the plants. Both sexes must grow nearby if seed is wanted. The species cannot set seed through self-pollination. Fresh seed needs prompt surface sowing in late spring. It may lose its ability to sprout within days. Cuttings offer another way to raise plants and root with ease.

Choose a sunny site with damp, heavy soil for cultivation. The plant also grows in sand, loam and poor soils. It accepts wet ground, poor drainage and brief periods of flooding. Mildly acid to neutral soil suits it; chalk is less suitable. It does not grow well in shade. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 5–9. The same source describes it as frost hardy. It can withstand strong winds, but not coastal exposure.

Its broad root system helps hold soil beside streams. This makes it useful where banks need protection from erosion. Other listed roles include fodder and biomass production through repeated cutting. It crosses readily with other willows, which matters when raising seed. PFAF flags honey fungus as a concern for willows. The source lists no known edible uses or hazards. That is not proof that all parts are safe to eat. PFAF also records medicinal value linked to salicin in fresh bark. It describes uses for pain and fever relief.