Black Willow
Salix nigra
Salicaceae (Willow Family)
▲ trees along river
▲ young tree in drainage ditch
▲ leaves
▲ trunk and bark
Location on or near Missouri State University campus: drainage area between parking lots at Darr Agricultural Center; along pond at Close Park at Botanical Center
Salix nigra:
Black Willow
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Has non-weeping branches with reddish-brown, slender twigs
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Leaves deciduous, alternate, linear to lanceolate, green to yellow-green,
alternate, 2-6” long and 0.25-0.75 inches wide
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Has dark brown to black furrowed bark, sometimes peeling in vertical strips
with age
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Grows 30-60’ tall
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Is dioecious, and may have good yellow fall color
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Native to Missouri, often seen growing along streams, waterways, in wetter
soils