2,490 bytes added
, 05:40, 18 November 2007
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Black Willow
| image = Salix-nigra(01).jpg
| image_width = 200px
| status = G5
| status_system = TNC
| status_ref = <ref name=natureserve>{{Cite web
| publisher =NatureServe
| title = Salix nigra
| work = NatureServe Explorer
| url = http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Salix+nigra+
| accessdate = 2007-07-22}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Salicaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Willow|Salix]]''
| species = '''''S. nigra'''''
| binomial = ''Salix nigra''
| binomial_authority = 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 ''[[Swamp Willow|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 [[leaf|leaves]], 7-13 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, dark, shiny green color, with a lighter green underside. It is [[Plant sexuality|dioecious]], with small, green [[flower]]s that are borne on [[catkin]]s 2.5-7.5 cm long. The [[fruit]] is a 5 mm [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] which splits open when mature to release the numerous minute, down-covered [[seed]]s.
==Uses==
Black Willow roots are very bitter, and have been used as a substitute for [[quinine]] in the past.
The Great Lakes Ojibwe used the young branches and twigs to make baskets and other parts were used to treat indigestion.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/sani.htm Bioimages: ''Salix nigra'']
*[http://www.borealforest.org/world/trees/black_willow.htm Borealforest: ''Salix nigra'']
*{{commons-inline}}
[[Category:Salicaceae|Willow, Black]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Flora of Canada]]
[[Category:Flora of the United States]]
[[Category:Flora of Mexico]]