Salix nigra

Black Willow
File:Salix-nigra(01).jpg
Conservation status
File:Status TNC G5.svg Secure (TNC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Salicaceae Genus: Salix Species: S. nigra
Binomial name
Salix nigra Marsh.

Salix nigra, commonly known as the black willow, is a tree species native to eastern North America. It is present from Nova Scotia and southern Ontario, west to Nebraska and southeastern Arizona and south to Florida and northeastern Mexico. The largest American species of willow, it is typically found along streams and in swamps, hence it is also known as the swamp willow (not to be confused with Salix myrtilloides). Goodding's willow (Salix gooddingii) is sometimes considered a variety of the black willow, which would extend its range to western North America.

Description

It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 20-30 m in good conditions, exceptionally up to 40 m. It has long, thin leaves, 7-13 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, dark, shiny green color, with a lighter green underside. It is dioecious, with small, green flowers that are borne on catkins 2.5-7.5 cm long. The fruit is a 5 mm capsule which splits open when mature to release the numerous minute, down-covered seeds.

Uses

Black Willow roots are very bitter, and have been used as a substitute for quinine in the past.

External links

• Bioimages: Salix nigra
• Borealforest: Salix nigra
• Media related to Salix nigra at Wikimedia Commons