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native plant database: Vick, Albert F. W. Salix discolor Muhl.
Pussy willow, Glaucous willow USDA Symbol: SADI USDA Native
Status: Native to U.S. Pussy willow is a narrow shrub or small
tree to 20 ft. with multiple trunks and dark-gray, scaly bark.
The familiar, silvery-gray, furry catkins appear before leaf
emergence. Deciduous leaves are broad, bright-green and shiny.
Many-stemmed shrub or small tree with open rounded crown; silky,
furry catkins appear in late winter and early spring. The large
flower buds burst and expose their soft silky hair, or pussy
fur, early in the year. In winter, cut Pussy Willow twigs can be
put in water and the flowers forced at warm temperatures. Some
twigs will produce beautiful golden stamens, while others will
bear slender greenish pistils. The Latin species name refers to
the contrasting colors o