Difference between revisions of "Salix nigra"

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===Phenology===  
 
===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.<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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''S. nigra'' has been observed to flower March through May with peak inflorescence in April.<ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref> <ref name= "Pan Flora"> Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 29 MAY 2018</ref>
 
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===Seed dispersal===
 
===Seed dispersal===
 
Seeds are commonly dispersed by wind and water. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>
 
Seeds are commonly dispersed by wind and water. <ref name= "USDA"> [https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEAM USDA Plant Database]</ref>

Revision as of 14:16, 6 November 2018

Common names: black willow [1]

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] Specimens have been collected from wet woodland, river banks, soil around ponds, swamps, floodplain woodland, coastal hammock, and lake shores. [2]

Phenology

S. nigra has been observed to flower March through May with peak inflorescence in April.[1] [3]

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]

In order to flourish S. nigra needs to be thinned periodically or it will not be able to spread and grow. [1]

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 USDA Plant Database
  2. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2018. Collectors: R. K. Godfrey, H. Kurz, Gary Knight, Angus Gholson, Loran C. Anderson, D.B, Ward, P.L. Redfearn, R. Komarek, Brian R. Keener, Tracy Duckworth. States and counties: Florida (Holmes, Gadsden, Jackson, Washington, Madison, Leon, Walton, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Escambia, Wakulla) Georgia (Seminole, Decatur, Thomas) Alabama (Dallas)
  3. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 29 MAY 2018