The weeping willow is neither from Babylon nor is it the Biblical tree

Gardening · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Carl Linnaeus famously misnamed this Chinese native, linking it to the rivers of Babylon in a biblical misunderstanding. While the tree is now a global icon of the landscape, the original species struggles in humid climates, often being outperformed by more resilient, hybridized versions of itself.

Salix babylonica, the weeping willow, is native to the dry regions of northern China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and Siberia. Despite its name, the tree has no historical connection to ancient Mesopotamia. In 1736, Carl Linnaeus assigned the species its scientific name based on a misinterpretation of Psalm 137. The passage describes harps hung upon 'willows' by the rivers of Babylon; however, botanists now recognize that the trees native to the Euphrates were likely the Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica, which shares a family with the willow but is a distinct genus.

The tree's iconic pendulous form was likely spread along ancient Silk Road trade routes. These trees are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate individuals. The weeping varieties introduced to Europe in 1730 were all female, which meant they could not breed true from seed. Instead, they are propagated vegetatively. Because the pure species is sensitive to late-spring frosts and prone to willow anthracnose—a canker disease prevalent in humid regions of Europe and North America—it is often less successful than its hybrid derivatives.

Modern horticulture relies heavily on these hybrids, such as Salix × sepulcralis, which are better adapted to wetter climates. Many botanists now include the Chinese willow, Salix matsudana, within the broader definition of Salix babylonica, noting that the primary taxonomic difference—the number of nectaries in female flowers—is inconsistent. Today, the tree remains vital in its native range, particularly in the Gobi Desert, where it serves as a shelterbelt to protect agricultural land from harsh winds. Interestingly, gardeners have found that tea brewed from these trees can act as a natural rooting agent for various other plants.

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