Salix purpurea

Purple willow or purpleosier is in the willow or Salicaceae family and is native to most of Europe and western Asia. It is introduced but common in eastern parts of North America. It is a deciduous shrub usually less than 3 m tall.

• Leaves are simple, oblanceolate, 5–8 cm long and 0.3–1 cm wide, dark green above, lighter green below, often in opposite pairs (most willows are alternate); very short reddish petiole.
• Species is dioecious. Flowers are small catkins 1.5–4.5 cm long, produced in spring, purple or red in colour.
• Twigs are very slender, reddish purple and green, buds red with single cap scale.
• A 'Nana' cultivar known for its compactness, and a 'Pendula' weeping cultivar are both used horticulturally.