Black Willow (Salix nigra)
- Family: Willow (Salicaceae)
- Flowering: April-May.
- Field Marks: Black willow is distinguished by its narrow leaves, green on the lower surface, and the presence of heart-shaped stipules.
- Habitat: Along streams, marshes, swamps, around lakes and ponds.
- Habit: Tree up to 90 feet tall, usually round-topped.
- Bark: Rough, furrowed, forming elongated, vertical, rather tight scales.
- Leaves: Alternate, simple, narrowly lanceolate, pointed at the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, finely toothed, smooth, green on both surfaces, up to 6 inches long, stipules present, heart-shaped.
- Flowers: Many borne in slender, elongated spikes; the male and female flowers borne separately on separate plants.
- Sepals: 0.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 3-7.
- Pistils: Ovary 1.
- Fruits: Capsules flask-shaped, reddish brown, up to 1/8 inch long.
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