With more than forty species of willows ranging from shrubs to medium-sized trees, the species are tough to identify.

BUDS: Single hood-like bud scale.

TWIGS: Slender or wiry, tough, flexible, often shedding, or detachable at forks.

BARK: Photosynthetic bark that is active in winter, if not too cold.

HABITAT: Wetlands.

USES: Some species have medicinal uses,for example as a source of aspirin.