The furry catkins of American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) have been a welcome sight recently. They’re usually among the first signs that winter is losing its grip, although we’re never surprised by wintery March and April days. The images here were taken March 16:
Named after the soft cat paws that they resemble, the furry catkins protect the male plants’ “flowers” from the cold. (Those flowers have no petals or scent; they’re just stamens loaded with pollen.)
The cat paws soon will disappear. Then, the exposed stamens, like little firehoses, will spout massive amounts of dusty pollen into the air. The wind has the job of delivering the pollen to awaiting female flowers and sneezing hikers. (Brooklin, Maibe.