Welcoming Spring! The Pussy Willow
~ Susan Young
The Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is a small native tree, but is frequently seen growing as a large shrub. It often grows in moist areas but can be adapted to soil that is less wet.
Furry, fuzzy catkins appear in the early part of the year, from February through March, then the leaves emerge. Those fuzzy nubs are flowers just prior to blooming. Pussy willows are among the first shrubs to bloom in the Spring. The flowers themselves are not a typical flower. They are a catkin which produces a large amount of pollen that is spread by the wind, no pollinator needed.
This plant is dioecious, meaning that there are male plants and female plants. A male pussy willow will produce the fuzzy nubs that turn into interesting looking flowers. Female shrubs will also produce an interesting flower but won’t have the soft fuzzy nubs often associated with pussy willows.
The pussy willow attract early butterflies and insects with its nectar. It’s the larval host plant for the Mourning Cloak and Viceroy butterflies. This means the pussy willow supports the eggs and caterpillars of these butterflies by providing food. The caterpillars eat the leaves. Birds eat the caterpillars. Native bees such as bumblebees and honeybees benefit from the early nectar. (photo by Campbell and Lynn Laoughmiller)
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