<P> In many of these plants, only the male flowers form catkins, and the female flowers are single (hazel, oak), a cone (alder) or other types (mulberry). In other plants (such as poplar) both male and female flowers are borne in catkins . </P> <P> Catkin - bearing plants include many other trees or shrubs such as birch, willow, hickory, sweet chestnut and sweetfern (Comptonia). </P> <P> The word catkin is a loanword from the old Dutch katteken, meaning "kitten", on account of the resemblance to a kitten's tail . Ament is from the Latin amentum, meaning "thong" or "strap". </P> <P> In Britain, they are can be seen in January or February, when many trees are bare for winter . They can even occur in December . </P>

Where did the catkin get it's name