We saw these today close to the Delaware River (Amico Island), anyone have any idea what they are? The color doesn't show up real well, they actually were reddish, and resembled little pinecones. They were on lower plants, didn't look like trees, more like a bush or vine, maybe. thanks for any help, we're trying to put together a kind of info book for homeschooling. :) Linda
Willow pussies, a ubiquitous late winter-early spring feature of wetlands in northern climates. If you explore additional swamps and marshes you will see more of these, as well as long ditches etc. People also plant them in gardens.
It does not look like any pussy willows I have ever seen, although there are many different varieties. All those, I am familiar with, have silky smooth “silverish” white buds in the pre-blooming stage, these buds are scruffy by comparison.
Oh well ... and then I saw this picture of the 'goat willow', which looked very much like the original photo: http://www.floralimages.co.uk/psalixcapre.htm
Thanks for the suggestions!! I think it may be pussy willow, I typed in "salix caprea", and yea, there's a strong resemblance. These were just so red, I'm mad the picture didn't show the color at all; maybe we caught them just before they will turn white. I'll keep googling pussy willows and see if I find it, thanks again, this was a great help!
Yes, I'm sure this is it! Thank you again, mystery solved. :) Linda Here's one link to a page with it: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63948/
