Cornus canadensis is one of two primary forage plants for mule deer and black-tailed deer throughout the growing season in Alaska. Other wildlife, like moose, also use this plant for food. In addition, birds and small mammals eat its fruit and buds, sometimes year-round. Its berries are used for jellies and pies, and are also eaten fresh. Additionally, the plant is used medicinally. In a field study, it was found to have properties that neutralize acid rain, possibly due to the calcium present in the trichomes of its leaves.
Bunchberry dogwood is an erect, deciduous to evergreen, perennial, herbaceous plant growing 2 to 10 inches tall. Plants often form large colonies by creeping underground stems. Its tiny white flowers are inconspicuous, have both male and female parts, and are centrally clustered. They are surrounded by four large, white bracts that look like petals, rendering it very showy. Flowers are pollinated by insects.
Bunchberry dogwood is usually found in uplands in moist forest environments and occasionally in wetlands and bogs. It prefers moist, well-drained sites and acidic soils.
Bunchberry dogwood is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important and are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to better understand plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.
Do you see...?
Initial growth New growth of the plant is visible, either from above-ground buds with green tips, or new green or white shoots breaking through the soil surface. Growth is considered "initial" on each bud or shoot until the first leaf has fully unfolded. More...
Leaves One or more live fully unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. For seedlings, consider only true leaves and do not count the one or two small, round leaves (cotyledons) that are found on the stem almost immediately after the seedling emerges. Do not include dried or dead leaves. More...
Flowers One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.
How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present?
Less than 3
3 to 10
More than 10
Open flowers One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant. For Cornus canadensis, ignore the four large, white bracts and watch for the opening of the small flowers in the center of the bracts.
How many fresh flowers are open?
Peak flower: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more are open and still fresh.
Fruits One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.
How many fresh fruits are present?
Ripe fruits One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.
How many fruits are ripe?
Recent fruit drop One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.
How many mature fruits have dropped?
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