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Places to Visit and Explore Nature in Stanley Park Ecosystem Guides: Garden Stanley Park Visitor Map: with Park Features, Trails, and Destinations Ceperley Meadow S |
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Black Willow Black willows are native to eastern North America and are an introduced species found in Stanley Park's gardens. Like its native cousins, this willow provides some of the season's first flowers. The willow catkin in the photograph is composed of a dense cluster of male flowers. The male part of the flower or stamen is made-up of two parts - a thin stem or filament and a pollen sac or anther. As each flower matures, the purple coloured pollen filled sacs of the anther split and release their contents of bright yellow pollen grains. If you look closely at this photo you'll notice a small dark insect in the center of the catkin. This midge species is just one of several fly species which depend on early Spring flowers for food in the form of nectar and pollen. In turn, these early-flying insects provide food to Stanley Park's winter resident birds and new Spring arrivals; flocks of migrating songbirds - kinglets, warblers, and others. Field Guide Entry: ---- Link to be added |
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Stanley Park Explorer http://www.stanleyparkexplorer.ca Produced by Peter Woods naturalist@stanleyparkexplorer.ca Revised: May 20, 2011 |
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