Cornus sericea

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The genus Cornus is represented by three very different species in the Salish Sea: Pacific dogwood, red-twig dogwood, and bunchberry.

Red-osier dogwoood, red-twig dogwood

Best Summaries[edit]

Nomenclature and ID[edit]

  • Used to be Cornus stolonifera, now Cornus sericea.
  • The opposite leaves, parallel veins, and reddish stems are distinctive. In drier settings, it may be confused with Vibernum.
  • There is latex in the leaf veins that can be seen if the leaves are separated that is distinctive.

Basketry[edit]

  • Stems are pliable, and commonly used in basketry
  • Osier is a term used to describe willows and red willow is another common name.
  • Anderson 1999 describes methods for management of shrubs for basketry in California.

Wildlife[edit]

  • Berries eaten by birds
  • Heavily browsed by dear

Propagation[edit]

  • Cereghino 2004 describes limits to adventitious root formation on stem cuttings in saturated soils (unlike willow).

Medicinal[edit]

Questions[edit]

  • What is the minimum light level provides sufficient energy for production of basket materials?
  • Because of deer browse, can stakes and whips be produced on pollards rather than stools?
  • What are the best native understory crops for under full sun or shade Cornus stands? Urtica?