The furry catkins of American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) have been a welcome sight recently. They’re usually the first sign that winter is losing its grip, although we’re never surprised by wintery April days.
Named after the cat paws that they resemble, the furry catkins protect the male plants’ “flowers” from the cold. (The flowers have no petals or scent; they’re just stamens loaded with pollen.) The cat paws soon will disappear. Then, the stamens will cast massive amounts of dusty pollen to the wind, which has the job of delivering some to eagerly-awaiting female flowers and the rest to sneezing hikers. (Brooklin, Maine)