280 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



from cuttings, and is quite handsome. In places it is a favorite 

 tree for planting. When the forests of early spring are still barren 

 this, one of the earliest of trees to come into leaf, shows green for 

 a long distance. It was conspicuously green by April 26, 1901. 



248. HEART-LEAVED WILLOW 



SALIX CORDATA Muhl. 



A rather common shrub in low ground. It was formerly quite 

 abundant in Green's marsh but has been mostly cleared away. It 

 was in blossom about the end of April. 



249. SILKY WILLOW 



SALIX SERICEA Marsh. 



Not common. A few bushes were found at Long Point, inter- 

 mixed with the other willows at that place. Collected April 29 and 

 30, 1901. 



250. BEAKED, LIVID OR BEBB'S WILLOW 



SALIX BEBBIANA Sarg. 



Common in flat marshy places. It used to be quite abundant 

 south of Outlet Bay and in Green's marsh, where, with Cephalan- 

 thus, it formed a pretty dense thicket. It was also common near 

 Farrar's. The pistillate catkins were in flower along the road at 

 this place April 12, 1901, and the next day both pistillate and stami- 

 nate blossoms were out in good shape. By May 10 some seeds had 

 ripened, and by May 12 the greater number were fully ripe, cover- 

 ing shrubs with tufts of cotton. The flowers of this willow offer 

 considerable attraction to honey bees, and large numbers were seen 

 hovering about the catkins. On April 15 they were particularly 

 abundant. 



Along with the closely related S. discolor, both "Pussy wil- 

 lows" in the popular sense, this species is very attractive on 

 account of the silky catkins which begin to show in early 

 spring as white "pussies", gradually becoming rich red-golden 

 beneath from the growing stamens, and finally wholly surrounded 

 by a halo of golden anthers, each terminating a long stiffish fila- 

 ment. The pussy willows, though native to swampy places, thrive 

 fairly well in moderately dry situations, and would have consider- 

 able value as ornamental shrubs, especially in parks. The twigs 

 force well in the early spring when placed in vases in a warm room, 

 and are frequently seen in florists' shops. 



