 Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Common on wet ground, especially on peat. Can form extensive stands on moors. Bushes c 50-150 cm tall. Leaves c 2-6 cm. Male catkins c 10-30 mm long, female ones c 5-10 mm. ID: Leaves and twigs spotted with yellow glands. Twigs grow nearly vertical, starting reddish and becoming darker brown with age. Leaves have a gum-like scent when crushed. Other features: Catkins appear in April. Plants are usually all-male or all-female, but may change sex from year to year. Female flowers each have 2 red styles, male have 4 red stamens which quickly disintegrate to release clouds of golden pollen. Occasionally hermaphrodite flowers occur.
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