Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

black willow

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Salix nigra

Family:

Salicaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

To 60 ft tall by 30-40 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Plant along streams or in informal landscape settings along ponds or canals.

Considerations:

Weak wood--tends to break.

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seeds and stem cuttings.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Clay, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Highly acidic to circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars



  • The catkins of  small bees and flies who feed on the pollen, wind pollinated.


  • Caterpillars of Limenitis archippus  (Viceroy) feed on the leaves of willows.


Native Habitats:

Floodplains.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Willow stems have been used for basketry and other woven wood structures such as fences and furniture. Willow sap contains salicylic acid, which is a natural ingredient of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

General Comments:

While it naturally occurs in or near wetlands, this tree can also grow in uplands. Stems root readily and most of the stems stuck in a moist substrate will survive without any further care. Is often used in stream bank restoration.