WillowWorld
of Michael Dodge
Salix fragilis 'Furcata'
Forked Catkin Willow
(furcata = forked)
This strange willow came from cuttings from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden from an unlabeled tree. It took several years before it produced the male catkins and when it did I was rather shocked. Instead of a simple single spikes they were forked with two or three branches. I have never seen that in any other willow! Prof. Julia Kuzovkina was kind enough to put the correct cultivar name on this tree. Luckily I took cuttings (with permission) as the BBG tree had to be removed as it was becoming dangerous.
These are male catkins on the tree at right. I've never seen the likes of this on any other Salix. Bifids and trifids! Most peculiar. It took six years for it to produce catkins. Above is one normal catkin and several bifid catkins.
Below are trifid and normal catkins.
These are male catkins on the tree at right. I've never seen the likes of this on any other Salix. Bifids and trifids! Most peculiar. It took six years for it to produce catkins. Above is one normal catkin and several bifid catkins.
Below are trifid and normal catkins.
These are male catkins on the tree at right. I've never seen the likes of this on any other Salix. Bifids and trifids! Most peculiar. It took six years for it to produce catkins. Above is 1 normal catkin and several bifid catkins.
Below are trifid and normal catkins.
