Catkin

A catkin is a tight cylindrical flower cluster where flowers connect directly to a stem.

The flowers generally don’t have petals, and the stem is often drooping.

Drawing from Wikimedia Commons

Pussy willows are catkins.

Arroyo Willow – photo courtesy William Follette

Alders, birches, beeches and oaks also have catkins.

Red Alder – photo © Neal Kramer

For more on types of flower clusters, see inflorescences.

For more on catkins, see Wikipedia.

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