The catkins pictured are male flowers from one of three oak trees in our yard. The picture above was taken three years ago when we had another bumper crop, as we are having this year. The picture below is by Bill Fieg from the Baton Rouge Advocate, but the link to the photo no longer works .
As you see in the closer view, catkins resemble caterpillars. Grandpère finds the flowers annoying, because he likes our driveway clear. The flowers produce pollen which can cause discomfort for people with allergies. Fortunately, we do not seem to be allergic to the pollen.
Huh. We're knee-deep in catkin season here (in Sacra-tomato) too. I thought that, in just about every species, Louisiana was weeks (or even months) ahead of us. [I realize that everybody North and East of us is saying "Oh, Eff You!"]
ReplyDeleteThe catkins have been around for a while, but I'm just now getting around to writing about them.
DeleteAnnoying little things that fill up the gutters. Earlier this month they positively carpeted the lawn.
ReplyDeleteFirst it was a "mast year" for acorns. Had a bumper crop of those. The catkins must be the other end of it.
Ah, well, better than being treeless.....
I love our oaks, but catkins in the gutters make for another chore for Tom. I beg off because of vertigo.
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