red osier

noun

1. Also called red-osier dogwood. a North American dogwood, Cornus sericea (or C. stolonifera ), having red twigs and branches and white fruits.
2. any willow having reddish twigs and branches used for basketry or wickerwork.

red osier

noun

1. any of several willow trees that have red twigs used for basketwork

Word History and Origins

Origin of red osier¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

Today salmonberry and snowberry, cedars, Sitka spruce and red osier dogwood, even skunk cabbage create a densely vegetated red cedar swamp worthy of Sasquatch.

From Seattle Times

They’ve planted western red cedar and willows and watched as other native plants took root in the shade — red osier dogwood, salmonberry, ferns and vine maple.

From Seattle Times

Here also grew the red osier, its large fruit now whitish.

From Project Gutenberg

The somber green of pine and spruce and claret stems of red osier are vivid in comparison.

From New York Times

Cornel, red osier Whitish, berries white Damp New England pastures.

From Project Gutenberg