Black Willow
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| Salix nigra Marsh. |
The Black Willow (Salix nigra) is a species of willow native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and southern Ontario, west to Nebraska and southeastern Arizona and south to Florida and northeastern Mexico. The Goodding Willow (Salix gooddingii) is sometimes considered a variety of the Black Willow, which would extend its range to western North America.
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 whick splits open when mature to release the numerous minute, down-covered seeds.
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).
Black Willow roots are very bitter, and have been used as a substitute for quinine in the past.
