Sneezers
I don't know what these are, but I started sneezing when I walked up to take a picture of them -
They sure were pretty in the light!
Update 3/21/12: Thanks to pinconnected, these have been identified as corkscrew willow blossoms -
Salix matsudana (Chinese Willow) is a species of willow native to northeastern China. The species is named in honour of Sadahisa Matsudo, a Japanese botanist. The species is widely cultivated in China, and a horticultural variant with twisted twigs, the corkscrew willow, is widely planted. The flowers are borne in catkins produced early in the spring.
A particularly popular cultivar of this species is Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', the "Corkscrew willow" (also known as the Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon's claw, or globe willow), in which the branches and twigs grow in a spiral, twisting manner. As a result of the ornamental shape of the branches and twigs, this cultivar is commonly used as a bonsai plant and for floral arrangements.
Sneezers
I don't know what these are, but I started sneezing when I walked up to take a picture of them -
They sure were pretty in the light!
Update 3/21/12: Thanks to pinconnected, these have been identified as corkscrew willow blossoms -
Salix matsudana (Chinese Willow) is a species of willow native to northeastern China. The species is named in honour of Sadahisa Matsudo, a Japanese botanist. The species is widely cultivated in China, and a horticultural variant with twisted twigs, the corkscrew willow, is widely planted. The flowers are borne in catkins produced early in the spring.
A particularly popular cultivar of this species is Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa', the "Corkscrew willow" (also known as the Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon's claw, or globe willow), in which the branches and twigs grow in a spiral, twisting manner. As a result of the ornamental shape of the branches and twigs, this cultivar is commonly used as a bonsai plant and for floral arrangements.