Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea
Red Osier Dogwood, Western dogwood
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
The leafless branches of Cornus sericea.
Mary Krieger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Cornus sericea branch (10).jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Fruit of Cornus sericea.
Sulfur at the English-language Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Red Osier Dogwood.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
4 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Red Osier Dogwood
- Western dogwood
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Canadese Kornoelje
- French
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- Cornouiller stolonifère
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist, Wet
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Uses
Fruit, Oil, Seed
Basketry, Dye, Fibre, Oil, Bee forage, Carbon farming, Ground cover
Description
The fruit of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, but it is known for its bitter and unpleasant taste, and can cause nausea. In the past, these fruits, which have a diameter of 9 mm, were dried and mixed with fruits from other plants, such as those from the kenaf tree, and eaten in the winter by Indigenous North Americans. Little is known about the seeds of this plant; they are quite small and woody, not suitable for eating, but they do yield edible oil.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Cornus stolonifera Michx., name ID 47515, row 986954; Cornus sericea L., name ID 47505, row 986950
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 14963; name ID 47266; Cornus L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.