Pussy Willow is insect pollinated

[bunn]

I never knew that before!  But a few days ago I found a pussy willow tree basking in the morning sunlight, and it was all over bees, hoverflies, wasps, and even a rather raggedy peacock butterfly left over from last year was feeding enthusiastically (I wonder where it went when it snowed?)   I had always assumed that plants with catkins were wind-pollinated, but in this case, clearly not.

Sadly I did not have my camera with me, so here's a brimstone butterfly feeding on a violet instead.

Comments

[bunn]

I'd say that willows were cheapskates, only pussy willow can look pretty impressive when all over flowers, so perhaps it's just that my expectations were pitched wrong...

[oloriel]

They're thrifty - making the most out of simple means! ;)