Common tree of riversides and other wet habitats. The leaves are long and thin, slightly resembling Willow Oak leaves, but finely toothed and more pointed.

The tiny flowers are borne in catkins in early May. Black Willow is dioecious, so male (left) and female flowers are borne on different plants.

Orange Co., NC 5/4/2003.

A short time after flowering, ripe capsules split to reveal cottony seeds, which are dispersed by the wind.

Tar River, Greenville, NC 5/5/06.