{"id":716,"date":"2022-01-13T06:00:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T05:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=12860"},"modified":"2022-01-13T12:54:10","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T11:54:10","slug":"how-to-identify-catkins","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/how-to-identify-catkins\/","title":{"rendered":"How to identify catkins"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Phil Gates\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 13 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Catkins start to appear on trees in the late winter months and provide a cheering sign that spring is on the way.\u00a0 Catkins are easily identified by its long, slim shape and spiky texture. Catkins play an essential role in tree reproduction and can be found on hazel, silver birch and white willow trees among other species.<\/p>\n

For a few weeks each year, catkins release pollen into blustery March breezes, then fall the leaf canopy unfolds. As they are blown in the breeze, the female flowers are pollinated by the pollen from the male flowers.<\/p>\n

Enjoy them while you can with our guide on how to identify catkins and tree species that have catkins.<\/p>\n

What are catkins \u2013 and what do they do?<\/h3>\n
A catkin is a long slim flower which often has no petals. Catkins allow a tree to reproduce as the female flowers are pollinated by male flowers. This happens when the seed is dispersed by the wind or by insects which play an important role in helping pollination happen.<\/p>\n

Which trees have catkins?<\/h3>\n
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Hazel \u2013\u00a0Corylus avellana<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Golden catkins on bare twigs release clouds of yellow pollen that seem to dissolve in the air, destined for tiny female flowers that are just clusters of carmine stigmas protruding from a bud.<\/p>\n
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