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Weeping willow is an exotic, probably originally bred in Asia or Europe. It is not very cold tolerant, so most "weeping willows" growing north of Kentucky or Virginia are actually hybrids. The aesthetically delightful "weeping" forms with yellow branches (the "golden" variety) are most likely a hybrid of Salix babylonica and Salix alba. There are separate male and female inflorescences in the form of catkins; each tree only produces one sex of catkins. The male catkins are 1-2" long and have no petals — only a series of stamens with white filaments and large (usually yellow) anthers. The female catkins are smaller (1" or less) and less showy with a series of green floral bracts that look like a series of awnings over 2-4 styles with flat stigmas; after fertilization they produce a green to brown capsule that releases cottony seeds.

Salix

Salix babylonica

weeping willow [Blooms: Apr]