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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General Information

Scientific name: Cornus stolonifera, Cornus sericea
Also known as: Red Osier Dogwood, Western dogwood

Plant Properties

Layer: Fruit tree, Shrub
Size: Small
Height: 2.50 m
Width: 4.00 m
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf: Deciduous

Growth 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

Usage properties

Edible part:
Fruit, Oil, Seed
Edibility:
(2)
Medicinal:
(2)
Features:
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 Data

Start Harvest: 01/09
End of Harvest: 31/03