JBCLM | 2010-2026
16. Mixed Willow Grove
Willow groves protect riverbanks from the destructive action of floods.
The diversity of willows (Salix species) in the Iberian Peninsula is evident in relatively undisturbed river landscapes, where they form mixed riparian forests lining river courses. These are protected habitats with various species associated with riverbanks, often in areas with irregular water flow.
In the Castilla-La Mancha Botanical Garden, a mixed willow grove has been recreated, dominated by several Salix species, such as white willow (S. alba), olive willow (S. eleagnos), purple willow (S. purpurea), and crack willow (S. fragilis), along with companion species like elder (Sambucus nigra), meadow-rue (Thalictrum speciosissimum), bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), periwinkle (Vinca major, V. minor), and some disease-resistant elms (Ulmus minor).A simulated stream runs through the grove, originating near the central walkway and flowing into the recreated Ruidera Lagoon.
Like mixed gallery forests, willow groves help protect riverbanks from the destructive force of floods.
