Common Osier

Read about Common Osier in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Salix viminalis, Linn. Osier Willow. A shrub or small tree, 10-20 ft. high: branches slender and straight: lvs. linear-lanceolate, beautifully silvery, 4-10 in. long; margins revolute, entire: aments appearing before the lvs., golden yellow. Eu., Asia.—Most often seen in plantations for basket material, for the production of which the plants are cut near the ground every year. Willow-culture in experienced hands is often profitable. (For details, see Simpson, Osier Culture, Bull. 19, Div. of For., U. S. Dept. Agric. 1898.) This species does not thrive in this country as well as in Eu. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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Common Osier foliage
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Salicaceae Genus: Salix Species: S. viminalis
Binomial name
Salix viminalis L.

The Common Osier (Salix viminalis) also known simply as Osier, is a many-branched shrubby species of willow (Salix). They usually grow to between 3-6 m in height. It has long, straight branches with exceptionally long, slender leaves, around 10-15 cm in length but only 1 cm broad. The flexible twigs means that it is commonly used in basketry, giving rise to its alternative common name of "basket willow". Another increasing use is in energy forestry

The leaves are dark green, with a silky grey underside; the male catkins are yellow and oval-shaped, and appear in early Spring before the leaves. In contrast, the female catkins are longer and more cylindrical, appearing around the same time as the leaves.

Osiers are commonly found by streams and other wet places. They are widespread throughout both Britain and Ireland, but only at lower altitudes. It is one of the least variable willows, but it will hybridise with others.