Pacific Dogwood - cornus nattallii

Appearance

• Leaves: bright green, pointed, wavy-edged, veins curving round
• Flowers: tiny greenish-white (5 mm) in tight, round clusters surrounded by 4 - 6 white or pink tinged 2-7 cm long bracts.
• Fruit: clusters of 1 cm long bright orange-red berries, nearly dry
• Tree:20 mtall with slender spreading trunks

Habitat

• Naturally grows: Wooded and shrub swamps, especially along creeks and rivers.
• Usually on moist, well-drained sites

Growth Habit

• Sometimes found in mixed forests

Natural History

• Birds use it for food and for nesting.
• Natives used it for wooden bowels, bow and arrows, knitting needles, and slingshots.
• Pacific Dogwood is the floral emblem of British Columbia.