Black Willow

Common Name: Black Willow
Species Name: Salix nigra Marsh.
Family Name: Salicaceae
Plant Type: Trees


Plant Facts
Origin	North America
Duration	Perennial
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state, except for panhandle
Sun Preference	Shade Intolerant
Susceptibility	Foliar Diseases

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics

Largest native willow, commonly dominant along riparian areas
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Plant Height: 12-inch diameter, 50-foot height
- Leaves: Decidious Broadleaf
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Shape: Long, narrowly lance-shaped
- Stipules: Yes
Floral Characteristics
- Petals: Narrow catkins with yellow hairy scales
- Petal Number: 0
- Flower Color: Greenish-yellow
- Flower Timing: Early Spring
- Fruit Type: Capsule with small seeds


Habitat/Ecology
Habitat	Flood plains and valley forests, bordering lakes and streams
Soil Type	Wet riparian soils
USDA Cold Hardiness Zone	6 to 8
Successional Stage	Early Successional