Salix mucronata subsp. woodii young stem

This still youngish but thickening Salix mucronata subsp. woodii stem has pale grey-brown bark. It is still mainly smooth with first signs of longitudinal fissuring that will take over on lower stems. Eventually the bark becomes dark brown on big trunks, deeply fissured and rough, at some stages dropping off in narrow flakes.

The reddish young branches often droop as the trees become large. Initially spreading, such young branches are often covered in short grey hairs.

The bark and branch-tips (wilgertoppe, Afrikaans for willow tips), feature in traditional medicine in South Africa, related to the treatment of various agonies, including headache, rheumatism and burns (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk, et al, 1997; Pooley, 1993).