Which Catkin?

[Andrew]

I think this is off a White Poplar, am I right?

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Andrew,

Looks like either White Poplar or Grey Poplar. Aspen is fairly similar, too, but I think not quite so hairy.

Michael

[Andrew]

Thanks for that, it helps as I do not need to correct my diary now.

One point I have to make about the photograph. The catkin was in my coat pocket overnight and has since dried. The seeds inside look purple in the phototgraph. When I picked it up fresh the seeds were a translucent rich red like the sweets, strawberry boot laces.

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Andrew,

Yep, the colour does change when they dry out. One correction though, they're stamens (for pollen production), not seeds ;)

Michael

[Andrew]

Ah, thanks for the heads up.