The Purple Willow or Purple Osier (Salix purpurea) is a species of willow native to most of Europe and western Asia. It is a shrub to 1-2 m tall. The leaves are 2-8 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, and, unusually for a willow, often arranged in opposite pairs rather than alternate. The flowers are small catkins, produced in early spring; they are often purple in colour, whence the name of the species (other willows mostly have whitish, yellow or green catkins). This willow species is often used in basketry.