black willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• swamp willow
• Dudley Willow
• Goodding

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salix nigra var. lindheimerii
• Salix nigra var. altissima
• Salix marginata
• Amerina nigra
• Amerina balduiniana
• Salix nigra var. longifolia
• Salix flavovirens
• Salix gongylocarpa
• Salix falcata
• Salix ligustrina
• Salix houstoniana
• Salix denudata
• Salix vulgaris
• Pleiarina nigra
• Salix nigra var. marginata
• Amerina houstoniana
• Salix nigra f. falcata
• Salix nigra var. falcata
• Salix testacea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Salix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Salix nigra, exhibits a broad geographical distribution across much of the North American landscape. In Eastern Canada, it can be found growing in the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Québec. Moving southward into the North-Central United States, its range extends significantly into the Midwest. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit the regions of both Illinois and Iowa. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various wetland environments across these specific territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Salix nigra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its riparian habitats. As a perennial, the plant undergoes repeated seasonal cycles, developing woody structures that provide stability and resilience against the fluctuating water levels of its environment. Its lifecycle involves an initial establishment phase, often facilitated by seed dispersal via water or wind, followed by years of vegetative growth where it expands its root systems and canopy. Because it is perennial, it does not die after a single reproductive event but instead continues to grow, mature, and contribute to the ecosystem over many years, demonstrating a high degree of persistence in wetland and riverbank niches.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salix nigra is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent species, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and maintains a primarily terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a maximum recorded height of 20 m and a mean height of approximately 24.145 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

24.145 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salix nigra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among temperate woody plants that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The vegetative structure is defined by specific foliar dimensions, where the leaves typically exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width is relatively narrow, measuring between a minimum of 0.7 cm and a maximum of 1.7 cm. These morphological parameters support the plant's gas exchange and light interception capabilities within its native riparian habitats.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

1.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salix nigra is characterized by the production of specialized fruit and seed structures designed for efficient propagation. The plant produces fruit categorized as a capsule, which is a dehiscent structure, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its contents. Within these capsules, the seeds are extremely lightweight, with a documented seed mass mean of approximately 0.000100466666666667 g. Specifically, the seed mass is highly consistent, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values set at 6e-05 g. To facilitate the spread of these tiny seeds, Salix nigra utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport the light seeds away from the parent plant to new colonization sites.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

6e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000100466666666667 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salix nigra has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

nitric oxide

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Conditions

Salix nigra has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cirrhosis, fibrosis, hepatitis C.

Cirrhosis

1. ACS omega

Fibrosis

1. ACS omega

Hepatitis c

1. ACS omega

Preparations

Salix nigra has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Maceration, Soxhlet, Whole plant methanolic extracts.

Maceration

1. ACS omega

Soxhlet

1. ACS omega

Whole plant methanolic extracts

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry