Cornus sericea, syn. C. stolonifera, Swida sericea, red osier/red-osier/red osier dogwood, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cornaceae, native throughout northern and western North America from Alaska east to Newfoundland, south to Durango and Nuevo León in the west, and Illinois and Virginia in the east. Other names include red willow, redstem dogwood, redtwig dogwood, red-rood, American dogwood, creek dogwood, and western dogwood.
Family:
Cornaceae (Dogwood)
Height:
3 to 8 feet
Habit:
Multiple stemmed shrub with many branches
Leaves:
Opposite, egg-shaped with tapered tip with parallel veins. Leaf edges are smooth.
Bark:
Bark is distinctly red, becoming more gray with maturity
Flower:
Small, 4-petaled, white flowers form clusters up to 3 inches wide
Fruit:
White berry-like drupe forms clusters on green or reddish stalks
Bloom time:
May-August
Fall color:
Red
Nicknames:
Red-twigged Dogwood, Red Twig
Habitat:
Wetlands, shrub swamps, river banks
Wildlife Benefits:
Flowers attract bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies.
Notes:
Red-osier dogwood has unique, bright red bark that offers winter interest in gardens. It is commonly planted in landscapes and prefers sun or part shade.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/red-osier-dogwood
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/ro_dogwood.htm
Family | Cornaceae |
---|---|
Habit | Shrub |
Origin | native |
Life cycle | perennial |
Flower | white |
Bloom time | (5) May, (6) June, (7) July, (8) August |
*sites | Gervais Mill Pond, Lake Phalen, Snail Lake |