Pussy Willow

About Pussy Willow in Alberta

Pussy Willow is a native Alberta shrub or small tree willow best known for its silky spring catkins that appear before the leaves. It is most strongly associated with wet ground such as marshy pond margins, stream edges, fens, seepage zones, and other moist lowland habitats. For Ancient Roots Alberta purposes, it matters most as a native wetland-edge species with strong seasonal recognition value and ecological importance in remnant riparian and marsh landscapes.

Identification: Leaves are relatively broad for a willow, usually narrowly elliptic, elliptic, oblanceolate, or obovate. The upper surface is darker green, while the lower surface is paler, often glaucous, and may be silky or somewhat pubescent. Raised side veins curving toward the tip can also help with close recognition.

Alberta range and habitat: Pussy Willow is clearly native to Alberta and should be treated as a real part of the province's wetland and riparian shrub flora. The source set supports occurrence in moist lowland habitats rather than dry uplands.