Willow
Latin Name:
Salix spp.
Description:
About 30 - 40 species of willows are native in Europe. Most of them are trees or shrubs, some - in particular in the Alps and in the Arctic regions - grow only to the height of a few centimetres. Willows represent themselves as either male or female individuals. The nude flowers stand in tight spikes (catkins) appearing mostly already before bud break. The seeds are hairy, very similar to those of the closely related poplar (poplar- or willow-wool). Willows are both wind- and insect pollinated. Preferably they grow on moist stands. The flowering buds often bear white, silvery hairs and turn yellow when the anthers come out during pollination time.
Start of the Season:
Flowering starts mostly in March. Because there are so many different species, the pollen is sometimes released still in June.
Allergenicity:
The allergenic potency is low.
Both within the genus
Salix as well as with pollen from poplar, cross reactions are likely.
