TD Tree BeeForests Canada

Vern Wilkins, Indiana University, Bugwood.org

Pussy Willow

Salix discolor

Native

The pussy willow is a fast growing, deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to be around 6-20 meters tall. Name comes from appearance of catkins to resembling paws of a cat. First catkins to appear in the spring, and an important food source for insects.

This species tends to grow from shoots that extend from the base of the trunk, creating a multi stemmed tall bush like appearance. Pussy willow is known to be a great species for bank stabilization and erosion control, found in ditches, wet meadows, lakeshores and streambanks. It is wide spread in North America.

Leaf

Leaves variable. Leaves reddish-hairy at first, then become green and hairless above, underside coated in a waxy bloom. Toothless to irregularly toothed.

Fruit/Seed

Tiny grey-hairy capsules in dense 5-9 cm catkins.

Bud/Twig

Catkins on very short shoots with bract-like leaves; densely covered with silky hairs when immature; full developed before the leaves appear. Pollen catkins 2-4 cm long; seed catkins 2-6 cm long. Bracts dark brown with white hairs.

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Pussy Willow | Tree Bee