Pollinator plant

Weeping Willow

Salix babylonica

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

72 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Babylon Weeping Willow[1]
  • Chinese weeping willow[2][4]
  • Chinese willow[2][4]
+5 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (32)
Dutch
  • Chinese treurwilg
  • Groene treurwilg[2][4]
  • Kronkelwilg[2][4]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • Krulwilg
  • Treurwilg
  • Wilg#Krulwilg[2][4]
French
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • صفصاف بابلي[4]
Basque
  • Sahats negartia[4]
Belarusian
  • Вярба плакучая[4]
Catalan
Cherokee
  • ᏗᎦᎦᎸᏅᎯᏓ[4]
Chinese (Simplified)
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • vrba babylónská[4]
  • vrba Matsudova[4]
Danish
Estonian
  • babüloni remmelgas[4]
Finnish
  • itkusalava[4]
German
  • Babylon-Trauer-Weide[3]
  • Babylonische Trauer-Weide[2][4]
  • Chinesische Trauer-Weide[2][4]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Hebrew
  • ערבה בוכיה[4]
  • ערבת בבל[4]
Hungarian
  • babiloni szomorúfűz[4]
Italian
Japanese
  • ウンリュウヤナギ[4]
  • カンリュウ[4]
  • シダレヤナギ[4]
+6 more namesShow fewer names
  • シバヤナギ[4]
  • タチヤナギ[4]
  • ペキンヤナギ[4]
  • ヤナギ[4]
  • 枝垂柳[4]
  • 糸柳[4]
Korean
  • 수양버들[4]
Lithuanian
  • Svyruoklinis gluosnis[4]
Mvskoke
Polish
  • Wierzba babilońska[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Ива плакучая[4]
Sengwaketse
Slovak
  • vŕba babylonská[4]
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
  • หลิว[4]
Turkish
  • Kıvrık Yapraklı Salkım Söğüt[4]
  • Salkım Söğüt[4]
Ukrainian
  • Верба плакуча[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Salix babylonica — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Weeping Willow — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Salix babylonica.
  • Babylon Weeping Willow — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Salix babylonica.
  • Silver Willow — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Salix babylonica.
[2] Salix babylonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • weeping willow — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Groene treurwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Babylonische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinesische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Echte Trauerweide — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese weeping willow — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese willow — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Corkscrew willow — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Globe willow — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Tortured willow — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • sauce llorón — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Sauce torturado — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule de Babylone — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur à bois vert — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule tortueux — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salice piangente — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Kronkelwilg — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Wilg#Krulwilg — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salgueiro-chorão — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Salix babylonica ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Weeping Willow (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161587; taxon 6XCM7.
  • Babylon-Trauer-Weide (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161585; taxon 6XCM7.
  • Sauce lloron (FR) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161586; taxon 6XCM7.
[4] Salix babylonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • weeping willow — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Groene treurwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Babylonische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinesische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Echte Trauerweide — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese weeping willow — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese willow — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Corkscrew willow — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Globe willow — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Tortured willow — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • sauce llorón — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Sauce torturado — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule de Babylone — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur à bois vert — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule tortueux — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salice piangente — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Kronkelwilg — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Wilg#Krulwilg — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salgueiro-chorão — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂柳 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Ива плакучая — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ערבה בוכיה — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vrba babylónská — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • tårpil — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • シダレヤナギ — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Svyruoklinis gluosnis — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂柳 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂枝柳 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 倒挂柳 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 倒插杨柳 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • シバヤナギ — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • babüloni remmelgas — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Tårepil — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • صفصاف بابلي — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • desmai — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • タチヤナギ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 수양버들 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Treurwilg — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 旱柳 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 青皮柳 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 旱柳 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 青皮柳 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vrba Matsudova — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ウンリュウヤナギ — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • mogokare — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Вярба плакучая — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Treurwilger — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Верба плакуча — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • หลิว — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Wierzba babilońska — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • カンリュウ — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ペキンヤナギ — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • babiloni szomorúfűz — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ᏗᎦᎦᎸᏅᎯᏓ — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Hoyvnecv — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ערבת בבל — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Kıvrık Yapraklı Salkım Söğüt — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 枝垂柳 — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 糸柳 — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vŕba babylonská — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • itkusalava — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ヤナギ — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Sahats negartia — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salkım Söğüt — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Salix babylonica is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Salicaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
9.14–12.19 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
9.14–12.19 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Broad; Rounded; Weeping

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Frequent Standing Water; Good Drainage; Moist; Occasional Flooding; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Salix species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
N. & E. China to Korea.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Tree
Size
Medium
Dimensions
15.00 m high × 10.00 m wide
Growth rate
Slow
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
6-9
Moisture
Moist, Wet
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Inner bark, Manna
Functions
Basketry
Edibility
1 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Bark can be eaten both raw and cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder, and mixed with grain flour to make, for example, bread. The taste of bark is very bitter and is usually only consumed when other food sources are not available. Young shoots and flower buds of this plant can be cooked, but they are considered not very tasty. The older leaves are used to contaminate tea. Bark is also a source of a certain substance.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Salix babylonica — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2433845; ID 6XCM7; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2433845; ID 6XCM7; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Salix babylonica — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Salix species (top 82 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Salix babylonica — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 224011; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1496066, 1496067, 1496068, 1496069, 1496070, 1496072

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.