Woody > Salix > Salix matusudana > Salix matusudana 'Tortuosa'
Salix matusudana
'Tortuosa'
Contorted Willow, Corkscrew Willow, Hankow Willow, Curly Willow, Claw Willow, Peking Willow
Origin: Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ is a cultivar of Salix matsudana, which is originally from China and north west Asia. This specimen was introduced to France in the early 1920s by a Belgian engineer and plant collector.
| Family |
| Salicaceae |
| Genus |
| Salix |
| Species |
| matusudana |
| Cultivar |
| 'Tortuosa' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4b - 8a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5a - 9b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -31 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -25 - 10 |
| Height |
| 6 m - 9 m |
| Spread |
| 3 m - 4.5 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Fast-growing with twisted branches. Young branches are yellow, turning grey as they age. Grey branches are distinctly gnarled and twisted. Great yellow foliage in autumn. |
| Landscape |
| Use in larger parks as it is drought tolerant, or on commercial properties, as it provides visual interest all year around. The small branches or twigs would make a great accent for floral arrangements or even winter container plantings. |
| Cultivation |
| Full sun to partial shade; clay; sand; loam; acidic; alkaline; well-draining ; moist soils |
| Shape |
| Rounded shape and wide-spreading. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Gnarled, contorted and twisted branches. Long narrow leaves. |
| Pests |
| Aphids, gypsy moth, lace bugs, and willow borer. Diseases: crown gall, willow crab, black canker, powdery mildew, rust, and tar spot. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Usually has multiple trunks. Twig colour is yellow. Bark is a brownish-grey colour and gnarled. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Purplish in colour. |
| Leaf Description |
| Alternate, simple, lance-shaped leaves that are 5 - 10 cm in length and are curled and twisted. Bright green in colour above and whitish-green below through the summer and showy yellow in autumn. |
| Fruit Description |
| Small, non-showy, pale yellow female catkins appear in April - May. |
| Texture Description |
| Fine texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| West Don Valley, Toronto at E.T. Seton Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Cuttings from new wood in spring, or cuttings of old wood in autumn. |
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