PUSSY
WILLOWS
late
Mar-April
"Pussy willows" refers to the catkin type flowers on willow trees. These catkins stand up on the twigs and are covered with smooth, gray fur, I guess like pussy fur.
A willow tree produces either male or female catkins. The female catkins have small, green, bowling pin-shaped things sticking out from the gray fur. The male catkins will produce a halo of yellow-tipped stamens.
In the Arboretum are two species of willow. The shining willow, in the northwest corner, blooms earlier and is tall enough most of the flower action is out of sight. The coastal willow is at eye level, and, luckily, there are both male and female right along the path.
Catkin type flowers are usually wind pollinated, but willow flowers attract insect action, so maybe insects help too. Worth watching!