It is truly one of our most enduring spring rites, performed before spring even arrives. Snow still
may cover the earth, but warmer weather brings you out of winter captivity on a late February day for
a walk in the woods. You round a bend in a swampy area and, lo and behold! pussy willows greet your
spring-starved eyes.

Pussy willow trees are native to wetlands of Canada and the eastern U.S. The terminology "pussy
willows" is used loosely to refer both to the trees themselves and to the furry buds on their
branches. There are male pussy willow trees and female pussy willow trees. The buds, or catkins, on
the male pussy willow trees look different from those on the females. The male catkins are showier,
and it is the branches of the male trees that we seek for their "pussy willows." The catkins of males
yield numerous tiny staminate flowers later in spring. From the decorator's perspective, it is at
this point that the bouquet has "gone by." Likewise, the female catkins will bear pistillate flowers.
~ about.com

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