User:Gillylax/sandbox

Introduction
Salix caroliniana, commonly known as coastal plain willow or Carolina willow, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States. This species belongs to the willow genus Salix and is typically found in wetland habitats, such as swamps, riverbanks, and marshes. Salix caroliniana has the ability to recruit in herbaceous wetlands to forested wetlands.

Description
Salix caroliniana is a costal willow. Trees from 5-10 meters with a brittle base. Branches of Salix caroliniana range from grey to reddish-brown. Leaves are long and acute. Normally Salix caroliniana and Salix nigra are characterized by short stripes and glaucous leaves. Salix caroliniana flowers in the south from December to early May and in the north from April to late June. This species Salix caroliniana was first described by Andre Michaux in 1803 in Flora Boreali-Americana. Salix caroliniana has seven synonyms including Salix amphibia Small, Salix harbisonii C.K. Schneid, and Salix longipes Shuttlw. ex Andersson.

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Plantae
 * Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
 * Infrakingdom: Streptophyta (land plants)
 * Division: Tracheophyta (vascular plants)
 * Subdivision: Spermatophytina (seed plants)
 * Class: Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
 * Subclass: Dilleniidae
 * Order: Malpighiales
 * Family: Salicaceae (willow family)
 * Genus: Salix
 * Species: Salix caroliniana

Distribution and habitat
Salix caroliniana is distributed in the southeastern United States. Salix caroliniana is native to the coastal plain region, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. . Salix caroliniana is found in wetland habitats like swamps, rivers, and marshes. Salix caroliniana has an important role in stabilizing soil in riparian areas and also provide habitat for many species of wildlife.

Ethnobotany
Salix caroliniana was used by Native Americans for many things like basket weaving and structure building due to their ability to bend without breaking. The genus Salix is also known for symbolic traits in Native American culture, these include flexibility, resilience, and creativity.

Conservation
Salix caroliniana is critically imperiled in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Salix caroliniana is vulnerable in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. Salix caroliniana is apparenly secure is North Carolina and West Virginia. Salix caroliniana is secure in Kentucky and Virginia. Salix caroliniana has no status rank in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas.

Management
Salix caroliniana has shown that it has the ability to take over herbaceous wetlands. Prescribed fires are often used to manage these events. Dormant season fires have been shown to reduce Salix caroliniana cover and basal area. Repeated fires have greater effects than singular fires.

Nutrient Content
Salix caroliniana is fed to exotic herbivores like Giraffa camelopardalis, Tragelaphus angasi, Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci, Diceros bicornis minor, and Loxodonta africana africana at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Salix caroliniana has a high dry matter content which contains protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.