What is "red osier"

Osier \O"sier\, n. [F. osier: cf. Prov. F. oisis, Armor. ozil, aozil, Gr. ?, ?, ?, L. vitex, and E. withy.] (Bot.)

1. A kind of willow ( Salix viminalis) growing in wet places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North America. It is considered the best of the willows for basket work. The name is sometimes given to any kind of willow.

2. One of the long, pliable twigs of this plant, or of other similar plants. The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream. --Shak. Osier bed, or Osier holt, a place where willows are grown for basket making. [Eng.] Red osier.

   1. A kind of willow with reddish twigs ( Salix rubra).

   2. An American shrub ( Cornus stolonifera) which has slender red branches; -- also called osier cornel.

1. n. common North American shrub with reddish purple twigs and white flowers [syn: red osier dogwood, red dogwood, American dogwood, redbrush, Cornus stolonifera]

2. Eurasian osier having reddish or purple twigs and bark rich in tannin [syn: purple willow, red willow, basket willow, purple osier, Salix purpurea]