Hooker's Willow

Here's another local shrub that is a good indicator for the arrival of Spring. This time of year, Hooker's Willow (Salix hookeriana) resembles several other willow shrubs, commonly called Pussy Willows. Hooker's Willow is our Pacific Northwest native plant, that blooms out with long yellow "bottle brush" like capsules. Prior to that, the capsules are covered with the soft fur coat likeness, hence the common names.

Like other willows, Hooker's lives near the water's edge, by lowland lakes and wetlands. Several local Native American tribes used the young peeled bark to make fiber strands for rope and fishing lines. The long, straight branches were used for poles and fish grates.

Florists commonly use these willows as accents for their arrangements. As kids, I remember using these branches to tickle the cousins endlessly! 

We spotted these blooming at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, 4/02/2014.

Pre-bloom coats. Note the tiny leaves emerging.

Blooming capsule.

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