Photo of Salix discolor (Pussy Willow - saule)

Salix discolor - Pussy Willow - saule  - This is a dioecious species (male and female catkins appearing on separate trees) that is most often seen as a large multi-stemmed shrub to 6-15’ tall, but is less frequently found as a small tree to 30’ tall. Before the foliage emerges in late winter, male trees produce a showy display of catkins (1-1.5” long) that are pearl gray and silky. Female trees produce smaller, less attractive, greenish catkins. Male pussy willows are noted for producing ornamentally attractive silky pearl gray catkins on leafless stems in late winter to early spring. Elliptic to lanceolate leaves (to 5” long) with irregular marginal teeth are dull medium green above and glaucous beneath. Variable fall color is usually an undistinguished greenish-yellow. Family: Salicaceae  

Millette Photomedia offers a huge collection stock images and royalty free affordable gardening images.

Author : Donald Buma
Photo # : 36919
Online since: January 19th 2021