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'forbiana' Willow (Salix 'Forbiana')
Family: Salicaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)
Salix 'Forbiana' is a deciduous Shrub at a fast rate. It is not frost tender. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil.
Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons
Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Bark/Inner Bark
Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter
Flavor & Culinary Uses
Inner bark - raw or cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and added to cereal flours for use in making bread etc. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails. Young shoots - cooked. They are not very palatable. — Inner bark - raw or cooked.; It can be dried, ground into a powder and added to cereal flours for use in making bread etc.; A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.; Young shoots - cooked.
Habitat & North American Range
Not known in a truly wild situation. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)