What is "salix viminalis"

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.

Withy \With"y\, n.; pl. Withies. [OE. withe, wipi, AS. w[=i]?ig a willow, willow twig; akin to G. weide willow, OHG. w[=i]da, Icel. v[=i]?ja, a withy, Sw. vide a willow twig, Dan. vidie a willow, osier, Gr. ?, and probably to L. vitis a vine, viere to plait, Russ. vite. [root]14

1. Cf. Wine, Withe.] 1. (Bot.) The osier willow ( Salix viminalis). See Osier, n. (a) .

2. A withe. See Withe, 1.

Salix viminalis, the basket willow, common osier or osier, is a species of willow native to Europe, Western Asia, and the Himalayas.