Crack Willow, also known as Brittle Willow (Salix fragilis)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malpighiales, Family: Salicaceae, Genus: Salix, Species: S. fragilis · Salicaceae (Willow and Poplar family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Salix fragilis
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Salicaceae (Willow and Poplar family)
Shape
Lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate with an acuminate apex and tapered base
Size
Approximately 4 to 6 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inch wide, which is standard for mature leaves of this species
Margin
Finely serrate to glandular-serrulate
Arrangement
Alternate along the twig
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Dark green on the upper surface and paler, sometimes glaucous green on the lower surface, with a noticeable pinkish-red midrib
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a prominent central midrib and ascending secondary veins
Texture & Surface
Glabrous (smooth) and somewhat glossy on top, matte underneath
Description
Crack willow is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree known for its brittle branches that snap easily at the base with a cracking sound. It develops a broad, irregular crown and rough, greyish-brown furrowed bark. The long, slender leaves turn a modest yellow in autumn.
Key Features
Extremely brittle branchlets that snap cleanly at the nodes, long lanceolate leaves with finely toothed margins, and smooth green surfaces with pale undersides
Habitat
Found primarily along riverbanks, streams, lakeshores, and wetland margins in damp, nutrient-rich soils
Geographic Range
Native to Europe and Western Asia, but widely introduced and naturalized across North America and other temperate regions
Condition Notes
The pressed leaves are in good condition showing typical dry herbarium preservation, with minor insect feeding marks near the margins of the rightmost leaf
Interesting Facts
The common name 'Crack Willow' comes from the loud snapping sound the twigs make when bent, a mechanism that helps the tree propagate when broken branches fall into water and take root
Medicinal & Uses
Willow bark contains salicin, which acts similarly to aspirin and has been traditionally used to relieve pain and reduce fevers. The wood is also used for basketry, cricket bats, and lightweight timber
Ecological Role
Provides vital early-season nectar for bees and acts as a host plant for numerous moth caterpillars, while stabilizing riverbanks against erosion
Similar Species
White Willow (Salix alba), which has silky-hairy leaves on both sides, and Almond Willow (Salix triandra), which has distinctly rounded leaf bases
Foraging Tips
Look near water bodies and damp floodplains. Test the twig brittleness gently in the field, as branches snap off with characteristic ease
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic, though concentrated bark extracts should be used with caution by individuals sensitive to salicylates
Notes
Found in Germany