American pussy willow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids American pussy willow
Shoot with leaves
Scientific classification
Genus:	Salix
Species:	discolor
Natural range of Salix discolor

The American pussy willow (also known as Salix discolor) is a special type of willow tree. It grows naturally across North America. You might also hear it called the glaucous willow.

This plant is found in many places. It grows in Alaska and the northern parts of Canada. You can also see it in the northern United States. This includes states from Idaho all the way to Maine and south to Maryland.

The American pussy willow is usually a shrub or a small tree. It can grow up to about 6 meters (20 feet) tall. Its branches are brown and not very strong. The leaves are oval-shaped. They are green on top and soft, grey-white underneath.

Amazing Pussy Willow Flowers

The flowers of the pussy willow are very unique. They are soft, silky, and silvery. These flowers are called catkins. They appear in early spring, even before the new leaves grow.

Each pussy willow plant has either male or female flowers. This is called being dioecious. The male catkins turn yellow when they release pollen. This pollen helps new seeds grow.

After the flowers, small fruits appear. These fruits are like tiny capsules. Each capsule is about 7 to 12 millimeters long. Inside, there are many tiny seeds. These seeds are covered in soft, cotton-like fluff.

Uses of the American Pussy Willow

People have found many uses for the American pussy willow. Like other willow trees, it contains a special substance called salicin.

Long ago, Native American people used this plant. They used it as a painkiller. The salicin in the willow helped to ease pain.

Today, the American pussy willow is often grown for its beautiful flowers. People cut the branches with catkins. They use them in flower arrangements. It is similar to the European pussy willow (Salix caprea). You can find more cultural information about pussy willows in general.

Pussy Willow in Nature

The American pussy willow is very important for nature. Its male flowers provide lots of pollen for bees. Bees need pollen to make honey and feed their young.

This willow is also a popular home for many insect larvae. Larvae are the young forms of insects, like caterpillars. Many different moths and butterflies use the pussy willow. They lay their eggs on its leaves. The caterpillars then eat the leaves to grow.

Some of the insects that live on the pussy willow include:

• The Acadian hairstreak butterfly
• The black-waved flannel moth
• The cecropia moth
• The Compton's tortoiseshell butterfly
• The cynthia moth
• The dreamy duskywing butterfly
• The Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly
• The Elm sphinx moth
• The Imperial moth
• The Io moth
• The Modest sphinx moth
• The mourning cloak butterfly
• The Polyphemus moth
• The promethea moth
• The red-spotted purple butterfly
• The Small-eyed sphinx moth
• The Twin-spotted sphinx moth
• The viceroy butterfly

Images for kids

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  Branch with catkins in early spring

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  Female flowers

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  Male flowers