Difference between revisions of "Salix nigra"

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(Conservation and Management)
(Ecology)
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==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
===Habitat=== <!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
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===Habitat===  
<!--===Phenology===--> <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
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Moist environments such as stream banks, lakes, swamps, or pasture sloughs are ideal for ''S. nigra''.<ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
<!--===Seed dispersal===-->
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<!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->
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===Phenology===  
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February to April is common flowering season in the southern range of the species with April producing the most recorded flowers, and May to June is more common in the northern region.<ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref> <ref name= "Pan Flora"> [http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Pan Flora]</ref>
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<!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
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===Seed dispersal===
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Seeds are commonly dispersed by wind and water. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
 
<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
 
<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
<!--===Fire ecology===--> <!--Fire tolerance, fire dependence, adaptive fire responses-->
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===Fire ecology===  
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Fires are not common to the native habitats of ''S nigra'' and can be devastating when they occur, killing the entire population in some cases, especially young seedlings.<ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
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<!--Fire tolerance, fire dependence, adaptive fire responses-->
 
<!--===Pollination===-->  
 
<!--===Pollination===-->  
<!--===Use by animals===--> <!--Herbivory, granivory, insect hosting, etc.-->
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===Use by animals===  
<!--==Diseases and parasites==-->
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Bees utilize the plant for its nectar and pollen. Domestic animals or livestock will use it for grazing. Elk and beavers will use it for browse in the summer. Beavers, hares, and rabbits will eat the shoots. The willow is also a host for butterflies. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
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<!--Herbivory, granivory, insect hosting, etc.-->
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===Diseases and parasites===
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Many insects are pests for the ''S. nigra''; including forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth, cotton wood leaf beetle, and willow beetle which can inhibit growth. Others such as stem borers will attack the base of the plant, killing it, or twig borers which will cause branch deformities. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
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Diseases are brought to the species due to the pest insects that are common to the ''S. nigra''. Diseases include willow blight that cause leaves and stems to die due to the fungus. Phytophthora cactorum is a canker that can cause lesions of the stalks. Cytospora chrysosperma can also cause cankers. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
  
 
==Conservation and Management==
 
==Conservation and Management==

Revision as of 14:25, 29 May 2018

Salix nigra
Salix nigra SEF.jpg
Photo by John Gwaltney hosted at Southeastern Flora.com
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicots
Order: Salicales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Species: s. nigra
Binomial name
Salix nigra
Marshall
SALI NIGR DIST.JPG
Natural range of Salix nigra from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Taxonomic Notes

Synonym: S. marginata (Wimmers ex Andersson)

Variety: none

Description

Synonym: S. nigra is a perennial tree of the Salicaceae family that is native to North America.[1]

Distribution

S. nigra is found throughout the eastern United States and Canada, as far west as Texas, Colorado, and Manitoba. [1]

Ecology

Habitat

Moist environments such as stream banks, lakes, swamps, or pasture sloughs are ideal for S. nigra.[1]

Phenology

February to April is common flowering season in the southern range of the species with April producing the most recorded flowers, and May to June is more common in the northern region.[1] [2]

Seed dispersal

Seeds are commonly dispersed by wind and water. [1]

Fire ecology

Fires are not common to the native habitats of S nigra and can be devastating when they occur, killing the entire population in some cases, especially young seedlings.[1]

Use by animals

Bees utilize the plant for its nectar and pollen. Domestic animals or livestock will use it for grazing. Elk and beavers will use it for browse in the summer. Beavers, hares, and rabbits will eat the shoots. The willow is also a host for butterflies. [1]

Diseases and parasites

Many insects are pests for the S. nigra; including forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth, cotton wood leaf beetle, and willow beetle which can inhibit growth. Others such as stem borers will attack the base of the plant, killing it, or twig borers which will cause branch deformities. [1]

Diseases are brought to the species due to the pest insects that are common to the S. nigra. Diseases include willow blight that cause leaves and stems to die due to the fungus. Phytophthora cactorum is a canker that can cause lesions of the stalks. Cytospora chrysosperma can also cause cankers. [1]

Conservation and Management

Salix nigra can be used as a soil binder when it grows along the banks of streams which helps soil from being washed away and prevent erosion. [1]

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes