Biological Name: Salix babylonica
Origins / Native Range: Native to northern China, widely cultivated worldwide.
Interesting Facts:
• Famous for its gracefully drooping branches, often planted by lakes and rivers.
• Symbol of mourning in many cultures.
• Grows rapidly but has a relatively short lifespan (30–50 years).
• Roots can be invasive, sometimes damaging pipes or foundations.
Conservation Status: Not threatened – very widely planted.