This article provides you with all the important information about the blossoms of the walnut tree: what do they look like, when are they formed and how long do they stay? Questions upon questions, the answers to which await you below!
The female flower is rather inconspicuous
Male and female flowers
The walnut is a monoecious plant. The tree bears both male and female flowers.
Portrait of male flowers
The male flowers are also called catkins. They are arranged in long, cylindrical and pendulous catkins and usually open in April or May. The male flowers are a pretty mix of green and yellow. They are very eye-catching - but more because of the thick inflorescences than the colouring. The male flowers of the walnut are usually six to twelve centimeters long. Most interestingly, they develop from the axillary buds of the previous year's true leaves.
For all those who want to know exactly: Each individual male flower consists of
- three to six tepals,
- two bracts and
- a bract.
These enclose the up to 40 stamens that lie inside.
Portrait of female flowers
The female flowers appear very inconspicuous. They are always at the end of this year's, i.e. current shoots - either in pairs or in clusters of up to five flowers - and usually come four weeks after the catkins.
Again, a more detailed portrait for the botanical enthusiasts:
- 10 to 15 mm long
- 5 to 10 mm wide
- four-part perigon
- Bracts and prophylls (form initially hairy cover)
- inferior, two-leaved ovary
- two conspicuous, feathery stigma lobes
- a short handle
Note: The two-piece stylus brings the two stigma lobes into the correct position for fertilization. The scars are initially shiny green, but later turn reddish.
type of pollination
The flowers are pollinated by the wind. In technical jargon, this is referred to as anemophilia.
time of first flowering
As a rule, a walnut tree flowers for the first time at around 15 to 20 years of age. That is why there are no fruits to be harvested beforehand.