Salix fragilis
Crack Willow
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Salix fragilis.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
Salix × fragilis with leafy branches overhanging the ground.
(c) nick_goldwater / iNaturalist / CC BY 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: iNaturalist photo 30021967
View the observation and community identifications on iNaturalist.
Reviewed . The photographed view, exact taxon scope, current community identifications, per-photo license and source attribution were reviewed. The observation has at least two current agreeing community identifiers and no conflicting current species identification. The image illustrates plant appearance; it does not establish botanical measurements.
Leaves and young twigs of Salix × fragilis.
(c) Todd Boland / iNaturalist / CC BY 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: iNaturalist photo 113712665
View the observation and community identifications on iNaturalist.
Reviewed . The photographed view, exact taxon scope, current community identifications, per-photo license and source attribution were reviewed. The observation has at least two current agreeing community identifiers and no conflicting current species identification. The image illustrates plant appearance; it does not establish botanical measurements.
Common names
4 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Crack Willow
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Basterdkraakwilg
- Kraakwilg
- French
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- Saule fragile
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
This treatment concerns Salix fragilis L. Historical uses of the crack-willow name can refer to different plants.
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist, Wet
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Full sun
Uses
Leaves, Inner bark, Tea
Basketry, Charcoal, Pioneer species, Windbreak, Wood, Bee forage
Description
The inner bark of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked. After drying, the bark can be ground into powder and added to grain flour for bread-making, for example. The inner bark tastes very bitter, especially when fresh, and is even consumed as food during times of famine. The leaves and young shoots of the plant can also be eaten raw or cooked, although they are not very tasty. They serve as a food source during scarcity or famine, and the leaves can even be used as a tea substitute.
Harvest
Crown
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Salix fragilis Host, name ID 2917719, row 226267; Salix × fragilis L., name ID 2917721, row 1426280; Salix fragilis Host, name ID 2921957, row 1426687
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1427267; name ID 2918656; Salix L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.