Red Osier, Red dogwood, Kinnikinnik
Cornus stolonifera

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

A shrubby tree. It has suckers and forms clumps. It has creeping underground stems. It grows 1.8-3 m high. The trunk is 7.5 cm wide. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and green. They are opposite and 4-9 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. The leaves turn orange-red in autumn. The winter stems are bright red. The flowers are white. They are 6 mm wide with 4 spreading petals. The flowers are in flattened clusters. The fruit are white. They can also be pale yellow. They are 6-10 mm across. They contain a stone with 2 seeds.

There are about 45 Cornus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows just above the timberline in the Rocky Mountains. It can grow to 2,700 m altitude in the SW of USA. It suits hardiness zones 2-5. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, Slovenia, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Siibi

Synonyms

Cornus sericea;