Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Salix babylonica var. pekinensis 'Tortuosa',

Other names

Salix matsudana, Dragons Claw Willow, Contorted Willow,

Curly Willow

Family

Salicaceae

Flowering season

March to April

English distribution

Thinly scattered throughout the country. It is more

common around London and further west.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Corkscrew Willow

Habitat

It is a neophyte introduced from China and cultivated

in the UK as an ornamental tree.

In the US the roots can cause problems for water and

power lines.

Description

Corkscrew Willow is a deciduous tree growing up to 12m.

It is cloned from female trees.

The female catkins are up to 5cm and individual flowers

are green with silvery stigmas.

Fruiting catkins are sterile.

The leaves appear at the same time as the catkins and

are pale green and slightly twisted.

The twigs are wavy and conorted.

The bark of the trunk is slightly ridged and grey.