Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Black Willow (Salix nigra)

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Black Willow (Salix nigra) leaves

Common throughout North Carolina, Black Willow is a medium-sized tree of riversides and other wet habitats. The leaves are long and thin, slightly resembling Willow Oak leaves, but finely toothed and more pointed. Other willow species have similarly shaped leaves, but are whitish or silky beneath.

Durham, NC 9/11/08.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) tree in flower

A tree in full bloom. Black Willow flowers from mid-late April to early May.

Orange Co., NC 4/18/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) flowers

The tiny flowers are borne in catkins. Black Willow is dioecious, so male (at left) and female flowers (below) are borne on different plants.

Staminate flower detail, with fly.

Orange Co., NC 4/18/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) flowers

The leaves emerge at the same time as flowering.

Orange Co., NC 4/18/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) flowers

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) capsules

Female flowers produce capsules.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) capsules

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) capsules

Ripening capsules.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) tree in fruit

A short time after flowering, ripe capsules split to reveal numerous cottony seeds, which are quickly dispersed by the wind.

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) cottony seeds

Grayson Co., VA 5/30/2009.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) flowers

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Black Willow (Salix nigra)

Staminate (male) flowers.

Orange Co., NC 5/4/2003.

Black Willow (Salix nigra)

Tar River, Greenville, NC 5/5/06.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) bark

Bark detail.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Black Willow (Salix nigra) tree

A tree covered with yellowish male flowers.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

More information:
Bioimages
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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