Catkins are the seeds of the willow tree, usually in the spring or summer, when the willow tree produces a large amount of catkins and spreads it to other places by the wind, thus propagating new willow trees. The process by which catkins disperse seeds is amazing, so let's take a closer look.
First of all, in order to reproduce offspring, willow trees will grow many small particles on their branches, and these small particles are the prototype of catkins. Over time, these small particles grow into tiny seed sacs. The seed sac contains the seeds, which are only a few millimeters in size and very light.
When the seeds are ripe, the seed sacs will split, releasing countless seeds and tiny fibers. These fibers and seeds drift together in the wind and begin their journey of dissemination. Under the influence of the wind, they can drift to great distances, even tens of kilometers away.
In the process of floating, the seeds will attach to various objects, such as buildings, trees, grass, and so on. Once attached to these objects, they begin to take root and sprout into new willow trees. This process takes a certain amount of time, usually several years before it grows into a large tree.
In addition to wind dispersal, willow trees also disperse seeds through water currents. When catkins are swept away by the current, they can drift farther along the current and then grow into new willows in the right environment.
In conclusion, the process of catkins dispersing seeds is a very magical process, they spread the seeds to all corners through wind and water currents, etc., so that the willow trees can grow and reproduce in a wider area.