BLACK WILLOW (Saliz nigra, Marsh). 50 to 100 feet. Spreading, round-headed tree, usually of several stout branches rising near the ground from the short trunk; twigs slender, reddish, smooth, often snowy pubescent when young. Buds small, pointed. Bark shaggy, dark-brown ridges, with orange color showing in the shallow fissures; surface flaky. Wood pale brown, weak, soft, close-grained, used for charcoal. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, often sickle-shaped, finely saw toothed, short-stemmed, with a pair of semi-cordate stipules at base, sometimes persistent, sometimes wanting, both sides bright green, thin with pale pubescence on the veins only, be neath, often lacking. Length S to 5 inches. Flowers dice
cious, in catkins, with leaves, in short, lateral twigs. Fruit in racemes, the ovoid capsules containing minute, hairy seeds. Dist.: Stream borders and lake shores, all regions east of Rocky Mountains; also in mountainous regions of California, but rare. Largest and most conspicuous native willow of the eastern half of North America.