We have synthesized nanowires of ZnTe using a vapor-liquid-solid approach and found the morphology to be dependant upon the growth temperature. Widely varying structures ranging from cylindrical and tapered nanowires to nanoribbons are obtained depending on the substrate location, gas flow rate and pressure all of which change the temperature distribution within the reactor. The reactor is also modeled to understand the impact of temperature on growth morphology. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.