Yep, we had a large shrub just outside the back door that we kids called "The Switch Bush". Many times mom would be ready to "discipline" one of us and would tell us to go get her a switch! I have no idea what the real name of that bush was, but it had very long, super flexible shoots, You'd break one off and pinch it between your thumb and forefinger, then pull the stem through to strip all the leaves off. Considering I grew up in Florida, about all us kids EVER wore was a pair of shorts and nothing else. Those switches would really burn the back of those tender young legs! I speak from experience!