population greater part of our country believes that the willow - tree, but it is more commonly known as willow.It is found in almost every corner of our homeland, near the ponds and in the river valleys, along the roads and in the woods.In addition, the ability to quickly and easily take root, and the rapid growth allows the plant is widely used for urban greening.This article will tell intelligibly and clearly on the willow plant: it is a tree, its quality and properties.
as it is called?
name from this plant are many and they are all invented by people who notice his fine features.Unlike ordinary people, botanists do not know a tree - willow.For them it is one of the species of plants belonging to the genus Willow, where there are about 300 species.But the people who will love this tree, gave him a lot of different names, however, willows called those plants that are located on the waterfront or near the water, but the willows are considered shrubs or trees that grow in drier conditions.People living in different regions of Russia, have come up with many names for Willow:
- willow;
- Krasnotal;
- molokitnik;
- Bredin;
- schelyuga;
- willow.
Typically, saying that the willow - tree mean by this willow species such as aquifolium, white, goat and thymelaeaceae.All of these varieties under the right conditions can grow up to 30 meters in height.
Botanical especially
Analyzing the issue of Willow - a tree or shrub, let's look at the characteristics of the plants that we call the willows.All willow, as well as other representatives of willow have long root systems that can grow to a depth of 15 meters.This feature uses a man, planting a variety of willow trees along the river banks, thereby strengthening the coastline and preventing soil erosion.Young willow plants really are more like bushes than trees.But over time, growing, thin sprout transformed into a large tree trunk diameter can reach 1.5 meters and which is covered by a gray, heavily cracked bark.Hue cortex depends on the age.So, young willow - tree with light-gray trunk, but the older the plant will have a dark color.A spreading crown of the tree consists of a drooping, thin and flexible branches, the length of which can exceed 2 m. Young twigs hanging from his thin, with delicate silvery fuzz on the tips.Older shoots a bare and painted in a reddish-brown or yellow-brownish color.On the branches are located next lancet and silky silvery leaves, the length of which can reach up to 12-15 cm. In the spring, at the same time with the development of the leaves, there is an opening flower earrings consisting of very small flowers.Willow fades in April, and by May the fruits ripen - small folding boxes with small seeds covered with hairs.
Areal
Willow - a tree, widespread in the European part of our country and grows in the south of Western Siberia, Central Asia and the Caucasus.Often found in the floodplains of major rivers such as the Urals, Volga, Ob, Kuban, Dnieper and Don, and forms there willow forests.Usually they grow together as a willow, and several other species of willow, forming between different hybrids.
optimum conditions
well-watered areas with acidic soils, plenty of water - such conditions prefers willow tree.Description it would be incomplete without mentioning that this plant is the first actively developing abandoned or unused land.In the forests, however, it is quite rare, you can find this tree growing next to the other species.A distinctive feature of willow - coming into contact with water or ground, its branches quite quickly take root.Through this trees grow rapidly and form whole forests, which occupy large areas.
Willow Tree: description and characteristics
As noted above, the plant forms a fairly strong root system, which, moreover, much branched and form adventitious roots.Thus, the willow can reproduce both cuttings and root layers.In addition, it should be noted that this type of trees:
- picky with respect to the soil;
- tolerate pollution;
- resistant to most diseases and pests;
- hardiness.
Folk omens
ancient Slavic tribes, which was absolutely still, Willow - a tree or shrub, dedicating it to one of the supreme gods - Perun called "Perunova vine."The plant is associated with such a powerful creature, endowed with mystical and magical properties.Many household items were made of this wood.Young children bathed in Palm broth.Twigs of willow in the house let the wiles of the dark forces against the hosts, but stuck in the ceiling - safeguard against lightning.For an abundant harvest was made to throw this tree buds on the garden beds, also stuck in the individual twigs to protect crops from inclement weather and ward off rodents.In the spring, the first time ousting cattle in the field after the winter, making it the willow branches to protect animals from disease, to help them grow and produce healthy offspring.The barn was also a place for this plant, which, according to popular belief, it was able to protect cattle from disease.With the adoption of Christianity of the pagan rites and rituals passed into a new religion.In the absence of trees in our climate is one of the major Christian holidays (Entry into Jerusalem) has acquired a new character - willow branches with buds blossoming.
Healing properties
In folk medicine, willow bark, as well as other family willow trees, used in the treatment of various infectious diseases.In the XIX century French explorer Leroux singled out from it the substance as salicin.In the future, scientists were able to synthesize it, thereby creating acetylsalicylic acid, better known to us as aspirin.
Today decoction of willow bark is used for articular rheumatism and gout.Prepared from the leaves and bark infusion helps with various skin diseases.It is important to remember that all pregnant women infusions, decoctions and potions with all components of willow absolutely contraindicated.
