One of the  the first signs that life is returning to the north is the
emergence of the pussy willows. These furry, white, flowers burst out of
their bud scales and dot the snowy landscape with tiny affirmations that
spring is on its way.

Pussy willow tree taken by Bittroot

Pussy willow is a sort of generic term since many species of willows sprout catkins. In Minnesota there are 18 native species of willows, three European tree species that are naturalized, and 5 species of poplars, many of which develop similar furry buds. The actual pussy willow is called Salix discolor, but for our purposes we will be referring to all species that   display these furry flowers. Among tree species in the willow family the quaking aspen are the most common and easily observed trees with “pussy willows.” These flowers, called catkins or aments are defined as a scaly spike of flowers of a single sex. All of the willows have only one sex much like humans. They are either male plants or female plants. The first pussy willows we see are usually males. The females emerge later. What we see and often collect to bring into the house are the male flowers in their very earliest stages of development. Those soft silvery hairs act as a fur coat that aids in the flowers progression toward maturity. Sunlight warms the interior with radiant energy and the hairs trap the warmth speeding the development of the flower. If you bring some male pussy willows inside they’ll continue to develop and at some point become quite yellow with pollen.

Insect pollination, photo take by Bill Hails

Outdoors the pollen usually appears in April. At about the same time the female flowers will exhibit their flowers. In most cases where the flowers are not showy pollination occurs as a result of wind. Pollen grains are simply released into the wind and the plants rely on fate to bring the pollen to the female flowers. This is how the aspens get it done. The willows break the rules and enlist the aid of insects to get the pollen to the stigma. Though the flowers lack showy petals to attract the insects they do produce large amounts of very strongly scented nectar. At a time when newly emerging bees are struggling to find food the willows come through. The final stage in the spring cycle of the pussy willows is the development of the seeds. The carpels on the female flowers swell and grow as the seeds mature. Once they are ready, the capsules burst open and the seeds are released. This process runs from late February when the first blooms appear, until May when the seeds are released. If you are out for a walk keep an eye out for the first fluffy catkins and then watch through the spring as they move from pussy willows to fluffy seeds.