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Weeping Pussy Willow (Salix caprea 'Pendula')
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Also called Goat willow or goat sallow, Salix caprea is a small tree native to northern Europe and northwest Asia.
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Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. These species include, among many others,
Grey willow or grey sallow (Salix cinerea), a small tree native to northern Europe,
American pussy willow (Salix discolor), native to northern North America.
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Before the male catkins of these species come into full flower, they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats. The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring.
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Pussy willow used as Lunar New Year decoration.
The flowering shoots of pussy willow are used both in Europe and America for spring religious decoration on Palm Sunday, as a replacement for palm branches, which do not grow that far north.
Ukrainian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Polish and Bavarian Roman Catholics, and various other East European peoples carry pussy willows on Palm Sunday instead of palm branches. This custom has continued to this day among Romanian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Polish Catholic, and Ukrainian Catholic emigrees in North America. Sometimes, on Palm Sunday they will bless both palms and pussywillows in church. The branches will often be preserved throughout the year in the family's icon corner.
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Gredits: Wikipedia
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Copyright 2010 TatyanaS
I love how you've captured the interest! Great photography!
ReplyDeleteWow, Tatyana, these photos of pussywillow are beautiful! I enjoyed too reading all the info on it. Very interesting plant! We don't have these in Florida, though we do have a lot of palm trees.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteI love them !!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Tatyana. Oh, how gorgeous these pictures are. Love the closeups.
ReplyDeleteDear Tatyana, What a lovely pictorial way to begin the weekend. I have a large vase of Pussy Willow in my Main Hall on a central table but, I assure you, they are not nearly as pretty as yours.
ReplyDeleteIn Hungary it is traditional to bring them indoors at Easter. I am not certain whether the tradition you mention of the blessing of the catkins also happens here.
Have a happy and peaceful weekend.
Great photos Tatyana.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Tatyana of a lovely and interesting pussy willow.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Wonderful macro shots!!! Such texture!
ReplyDeleteVery stunning photos! Chinese uses something similar (I don't know the blotanical name) for lunar New Year decoration.
ReplyDeleteWhat wow photographs of such a lvely tree.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I love the detail!
ReplyDeleteCarla
Tatyana, these photos are amazing! The individual hairs could be plucked...so clear and close up! I really like puffs in nature...any kind! Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteGreat set of photos ... such an interesting bloom. Reminds me of our callistemon blooms. Thanks for the information as well ... I've learnt something new.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photographs! Always good to see more evidence that spring is here!
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures and the information.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos of the pussy willow fluff. Interesting to learn of their use for Palm Sunday. I love these early Spring blooms! ;>)
ReplyDeleteI remember pussy willow from my childhood. There was a large bush near where I lived and as children we always used to wait for the little furry buds to show.
ReplyDeleteI so love pussy willows, Tatyana, a sure sign of spring! You have captured them beautifully. Sing Hallelujah ... Spring has arrived!
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful willows in early spring - thank you Tatyana for sharing, they are so special...
ReplyDeleteYour pussy willows are blossoming really early! Lucky and a token of spring for sure. Great photos. Barbara
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! They almost look like something one would see floating in the deep sea!
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