Pictures of Flowers Pussy Willow Pictures and Pussy Willow Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 25, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Pussy Willow Pictures and Pussy Willow Kind

Pussy Willow is a small shrub or small tree of willow family. Among its many other species, goat willow, grey willow and American pussy willow are most common and popular in northern Europe and North America. The plant is associated with several cultural traditions across many countries. In Europe, North America, Russia and Poland and other countries, the flowering shoots of pussy willow are used for spring religious decoration instead of Palm branches on Palm Sunday because palm do not grow that far north. The branches of pussy willow blessed in the Churches are often preserved throughout the year in the family’s icon corner.

Pussy willow grows wild in the eastern parts of North America. The plants can grow best in moist soils but, can also be found in dry-areas. It grows to a height of about 15-20 feet with long, straight twigs without side branches. Flower buds appear on the twigs and in early spring flower cluster break out from the hard buds. Flower clusters, known as catkins, are long and round and covered with a dense coat of silky, grayish-white hairs.