View source for Salix matsudana

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Salicaceae
|genus=Salix
|species=matsudana
|taxo_author=Koidz.
|common_name=Peking willow, Hankow Willow, Weeping willow
|habit=tree
|habit_ref=Sunset
|Min ht box=40
|Min ht metric=ft
|Max ht box=50
|Max ht metric=ft
|height_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|water=wet, moist, moderate
|water_ref=Sunset National Garden Book
|features=deciduous, foliage
|Temp Metric=°F
|sunset_zones=3-24, 30-34, 39
|image=Peking-willow.jpg
|image_width=180
|image_caption=Chinese Willow (cv. 'Tortuosa')
}}
The '''Chinese Willow''' (''Salix matsudana''), also known as the Hankow Willow, Curly Willow or Globe Willow, is a species of [[willow]] native to northwestern [[China]]. The species is named in honour of [[Sadahisa Matsudo]], a [[Japan]]ese [[botanist]]. 

It is a medium-sized to large [[deciduous]] tree, growing up to 20-25 m tall. It is upright and grows rapidly, but has a short lifespan. It has narrow, light green leaves, around 4-10 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are [[catkin]]s produced early in the spring; it is [[plant sexuality|dioecious]], with the male and female catkins on separate trees.

Many botanists treat ''Salix matsudana'' as a [[Synonymy|synonym]] of the [[Peking Willow]] ''Salix babylonica'', which, despite its botanical name, is also native to northern China. The only reported difference between the two is that ''S. matsudana'' has two [[nectar]]ies in each female flower, whereas ''S. babylonica'' has only one; however this character is not reliable in many willows (e.g. [[Crack Willow]] can have either one or two), so even this difference may mean nothing.

Chinese Willow has been introduced into many areas as an [[ornamental plant|ornamental tree]], including [[Australia]], [[Europe]] and [[North America]]. A particularly popular [[cultivar]] is ''Salix matsudana'' 'Tortuosa', the "Corkscrew Willow", in which the branches and twigs grow in a spiral, twisting manner. As a result of the ornamental shape of the branches and twigs, this cultivar is commonly used as a [[bonsai]] plant and for floral arrangements.

The plant is very susceptible to [[canker]]s, and is weak-wooded and prone to storm damage. 

==Cultivation==


===Propagation===


===Pests and diseases===


==Varieties==
Cultivars that have been selected to resist this include 'Golden Curls', a [[hybrid]] with the [[White Willow]] (''Salix alba''), 'Scarlet Curls', and 'Navajo', the "Navajo Willow" selected in the southwest US.

Another cultivar of hybrid origin between Chinese Willow and White Willow is 'Austree'; this is an exceptionally fast-growing cultivar with straight (not contorted) branches, sold for screening and fast tree cover. However it too is very prone to cankers and other diseases, making it very short-lived and unsuitable for most of the purposes for which it is sold.

==Gallery==
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
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