Why was goats willow called palm?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

March 21, 2003

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In 1597, John Gerard wrote, "The Sallow tree or Goats Willow groweth to a tree of a meane bignesse: the trunke or body is soft and hollow timber, covered with a whitish rough barke: the branches are set with leaves somewhat rough, greene above, and hoarie underneath: among which come forth round catkins, or aglets that turne into downe, which is carried away with the winde." Long before Linnaeus was born, the name, Salix caprea, was applied to these northern European willows.

Weeping Pussy Willow Tree
Salix caprea 'Pendula' Zone: 4 - 8 (-20° F) Strongly weeping habit, stems drop right to the ground. Attractive catkins in the spring. Strong accent plant, provides year-round interest, unusual and rare, hard to find. Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Salix was the name for willows in Rome. As the Roman influence spread through Europe and the British Isles, the name was adapted by various peoples--Germanic as salaha and sahl, Anglo-Saxon as sealh, Danish selje, French saule, Spanish salce, and Gaelic-Irish as saileach. The Gaelic probably gave rise to the common English name, sallow. The Roman (Latin) name is thought derived from the ancient Sanskrit, salila or water and related to sarit, river, since many willows are frequently found growing near water.

In old gardening books, the goats willow is oddly given the name 'palm'. The 1889 Century Unabridged Dictionary states the palm "was adopted as an emblem of victory...The Jews carried palm-branches on festal occasions, and the Roman Catholic and Greek churches have preserved this usage" particularly on Palm Sunday. In colder climates, the dictionary states that churches allowed certain substitutions for religious celebrations, "Among plants so designated are, in Great Britain, chiefly the great sallow or goat-willow, Salix Caprea, at the time when its catkins are out...."

Project Runeberg has posted some of the flora of Scandinavia. To view a beautiful herbarium illustration of the goats willow, click on the link:

http://www.lysator.liu.se/runeberg/nordflor/377.html

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

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Weeping Pussy Willow Tree

Springhill Nursery®

Create excitement year after year - all year through - with this unusual and hard-to-find specimen tree. Nothing announces the arrival of spring like the Pussy Willow, which has long been a cherished seasonal delight for children and adults alike.

We're pleased to offer it in this unique form. For up to four weeks in late winter and early spring, the Weeping Pussy Willow Tree is adorned with extra-large silver-gray catkins which turn bright yellow and are followed by shiny gray-green leaves. With its dramatic weeping habit - the pendulous branches drop right to the ground - it presents a graceful shape even after the catkins and leaves are gone in late autumn.

This compact ornamental grows 6-7' high and spreads 5-6', an excellent size for accenting a small garden, front yard or patio area. Prefers a sunny spot with moist soil. Cut the catkin-bearing branches to create striking bouquets.
Shipped 3-4' tall. Salix caprea 'pendula' Zones: 4 - 8 (-20° F.)

Weeping Pussy Willow Tree Ships In The Spring Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Unique Characteristics: Strongly weeping habit, stems drop right to the ground. Attractive catkins in the spring. Strong accent plant, provides year-round interest, unusual and rare, hard to find.

Additional Information: The rootstock is salix discolor and the scion is Salix caprea 'pendula'. Budded at the ground.

Pink Pussy Willow

Michigan Bulb®

In early spring, furry soft pastel pink catkin flowers surround the stems of this ornamental pussy willow.

Use this woody shrub as a specimen planting or in a border garden design.

Bareroot.

Salix discolor Zones: 4 - 8 (-30° F.)

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Unique Characteristics: This is a beautiful and distinctive erect, small tree or large shrub. While its most prominent and ornamental feature is the early spring pink catkins that cover the dark brown stems, it is an attractive tree to use as a specimen or in a border. Ideal for the smaller garden. The foliage is distinctively crisped and crimped along the margins. The catkins are a favorite to use for cut flower arrangements to brighten up the late days of winter and early spring.

Red Twig Dogwood

Michigan Bulb®

This shrub treats you to a remarkable color show! Sturdy stems change from bright coral in the fall to cheery red in winter. A wonderful choice for a hedge or at the back of borders.

Size: 2 1/4'' pot.

Soil: any. Height: 8-10'.

Blooms: late summer. Zones: 2 - 8.

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Yellow Waxbells

Springhill Nursery®

This elegant shrub-like perennial, from the woodlands of Japan, is rarely seen in America.

Maple-like leaves are set along purple stems on the Yellow Waxbells with waxy, pale yellow flowers 1 1/2'' long that appear in late summer.

Grows 24-48'', spreads 24-32''.

Shipped in 3'' pot.

Kirengeshoma palmata Zones: 5 - 9 (-10° F.)

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Unique Characteristics: Clump forming perennial from the woodlands of Japan. Rarely seen in America. Shrub-like plant has maple-like leaves along purple stems, with elegantly arching yellow cymes at the top of the plant.

'Persian Palm' Alocasia

Springhill Nursery®

Alocasia 'Persian Palm' is a striking specimen with extra-large, palmlike foliage. This Persian Palm creates an impressive display as leaves unfurl and arc upwards.

Luxuriant in containers, borders or as a privacy screen.

Grows a massive 5-7' in height with 4-5' spread. Lift in fall.

Shipped in 4'' pot. Deer tend to avoid.

Zones: 9 - 10 (45° F, plant may go dormant)

Alocasia calodora

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Unique Characteristics: It is a cross between Alocasia 'Gagaena' and Alocasia 'Odora'. A striking specimen with its large tropical foliage, creates an impressive display. Use in large containers, in a border or use as a screen to create privacy for a favorite summer resting place. Easy to grow and requires little more than deep watering in summer dry spells and fertilizing with a water soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

Additional Information: Alocasia are heavy feeders, provide water soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks and water regularly. Lift tubers and over winter in a frost free area. Replant after last frost in spring.

Hardy Blue Fan Palm

Springhill Nursery®

Deeply divided, 3' palm leaves have a silvery-blue waxy sheen.

This variety is rarer and hardier than its green cousin. A slow-growing plant, it makes an excellent specimen for a large container on a patio or deck.

Shipped in 4'' pot.

Zones: 7 - 10.

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera

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Unique Characteristics: Deeply divided large palm leaves up to 3' across in a striking silvery blue color. The silver blue sheen comes from the waxy film on the leaves. This silver variety is much more rare than its green cousin, Chamaerops humilis and a bit hardier. Tough durable plant that is slow growing making it an excellent specimen for large containers on a patio or deck.

Additional Information: Not as suseptible to windy conditions as other more tender palms.

Hardy Chusan Palm

Springhill Nursery®

This hardy 15-35' tropical palm can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Circular, 3' wide leaves are beautifully segmented and arranged in a symmetrical crown.

A highly ornamental tree, it makes an excellent feature planting for a highly visible area or as part of a Mediterranean garden.

Shipped in 4'' pot.

Zones 7 - 10 (sheltered in zone 7).

Trachycarpus fortunei

Hardy Chusan Palm Ships In The Spring Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Unique Characteristics: Tropical palm that can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees F. Highly ornamental palm perfect for a feature planting in a highly visible area. Enjoy tropical looking leaves to create a mediterranean garden. Does not like extremely hot, dry locations as one might think. Can also be planted in large containers. Native to China.

Additional Information: Photo used in the catalog with snow covered palm was taken north of Olympia Washington, January 1998.