A Willow Energy Crop Information Resource at Cornell University

The Willowpedia web site hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University to support a community of knowledge surrounding the academic study and commercial use of shrub willow (Salix spp.) as a sustainable feedstock crop for bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts, as well as for environmental engineering and horticultural applications. While much of the information presented here is the result of work at Cornell, the intent of this site is to facilitate the global exchange of knowledge among the entire willow community and the public.

Link to Willowpedia: http://willow.cals.cornell.edu/index.html

Plant of the Day - Pussy Willow

Pussy Willow
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pussy willow branch with catkins in early springPussy 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):

Goat willow or goat sallow (Salix caprea), a small tree native to northern Europe and northwest Asia.

Grey willow or grey sallow (Salix cinerea), a small tree native to northern Europe
American pussy willow (Salix discolor), native to northern North America.

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, also known as "pussies". The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names.

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