Plant Details

Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea

Red Osier Dogwood, Western dogwood

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea.

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Common names

4 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Red Osier Dogwood
  • Western dogwood
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Canadese Kornoelje
French
  • Cornouiller stolonifère
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea
Accepted name (Kew): Cornus sericea View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Cornaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cornus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Red Osier Dogwood, Western dogwood

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree, Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 2-7
Soil moisture:
Moist, Wet
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Oil, Seed
Edibility rating:
(2)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
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

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/03

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    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.