Pussy Willow

Description:

The willow is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 20 ft. tall and having multiple stems. The flowers are soft silky silvery catkins, borne in early spring before the new leaves appear, with male and female catkins on different plants; the male catkins mature yellow at pollen release. Pussy willows are often used for decoration with flowers.

Habitat:

Willows are common native shrubs in wet or moist soil throughout Minnesota.The willows occur on marshy lake shores or pond margins and often form a dense community called a willow shrub swamp.

Notes:

Willow trees, with pussy willows or catkins, can be spotted along the swampy pond area on the edge of the refuge along north Cotton Lake road in April.