The Salicaceae family consists of about 56 genera with around 1220 known species. Members of this family are usually shrubs or trees, most of which are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves seasonally. They are found primarily in the northern hemisphere and in tropical mountains, but also in a wider variety of other habitats. 

Members of this family have a variety of uses. Willows, for instance, are often used in the creation of baskets, cricket bats, and other implements. The bark of some species contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. Poplar wood is widely used in the manufacturing of paper, while certain species of aspen and cottonwood are important for their timber.