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Native Plant Database

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Cornus sericea ssp. sericea (Redosier dogwood)
Alder, Michael G.

Cornus sericea ssp. sericea L.

Redosier dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood

Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)

Synonyms: Cornus stolonifera

USDA Symbol: coses

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Large, spreading, thicket-forming shrub with several stems, clusters of small white flowers, and small whitish fruit; rarely a small tree. Height commonly 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m), rarely to 15 feet (4.6 m). Diameter: 3 (7.5 cm).Leaves are opposite.

Red Osier Dogwood is useful for erosion control on stream banks. The common name recalls the resemblance of the reddish twigs to those of some willows called osiers, used in basketry. Branch tips of this tree will root upon touching the ground.

The genus cornus is Latin for a horn.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Central Alaska east to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to N. Virginia, and west to California; also N. Mexico; to 5000 (1524 m); to 9000 (2743 m) in the Southwest.
Native Habitat: Moist soils, especially along streams; forming thickets and in understory of forests.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Conditions Comments: Red branches attractive.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure butterfly.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Cornus sericea ssp. sericea is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Spring Azure
(Celastrina ladon)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.1 - Native Plants Facts, Winter Botany, Poster for Schoolchildren, Inside Herbaria

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cornus sericea ssp. sericea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cornus sericea ssp. sericea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cornus sericea ssp. sericea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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