peachleaf willow
Salix wrightii Andersson
Medicinal Documentation
The leaves are boiled into a tea to treat diarrhea. A medicinal tea made from willow bark was drunk to treat diarrhea among other stomach ailments.
A strip of willow bark would be used as a bandage to stop a cut from bleeding.
Ceremonial & Cultural Notes
Commentary: No recorded use for the plant.
Artifacts/Material use: Branches are used to make meat-drying racks. Additional commentary: According to Tallbull, there are six Salix species that are recognized as important to indigenous peoples in Montana. There are Salix alba (White Willow), Salix amygdaloides (Peachleaf Willow), Salix discolor (Pussy Willow) Salix exiqua (Coyote Willow), Salix mackenziena (Mackenzie Willow), and Salix scouleriana (Scouler Willow).645 Moerman also lists all species in the genus Salix as dermatological aids.646
Willow branches are used in constructing sweat lodges. Willow branches were also used in the Sun Dance in various ways: growing near water, willow was believed to help thirsty Sun Dancers. To this end, stems would be wrapped around dancers’ waists, heads, wrists, and ankles. Additional commentary: A black paint was made for the dancers from willow charcoal.650 Moerman also lists all species in the genus Salix as dermatological aids.651
Willow branches were also used in the Sun Dance in various ways: growing near water, willow was believed to help thirsty Sun Dancers. To this end, stems would be wrapped around dancers’ waists, heads, wrists, and ankles.
A black paint was made for the dancers from willow charcoal
Artifacts/Material use: Sticks bent and used to remove hair from hides
Used in basketry.
Botanical Reference
Parts Documented: Not specified in the literature, bark, branches, leaves, sticks, Fiber
Distribution: Native to North American Plains; widespread regional distribution