A spreading shrub or small tree growing at water's edge to a size of 20 ft., with distinct catkins (male) and woody cones (female).

BUDS: Stalked and rounded; fuzzy; blunt; reddish.

TWIGS: May be slightly hairy.

BARK: Smooth; dark gray or brown.

HABITAT: Wet soils bordering strams and lakes; swamps.

USES: Inner bark could be ground into a crude flour.