Dwarf Dogwood Bunchberry Cornus canadensis – Native Plant of North America

Introduction

Cornus canadensis is one of my favorite native plants of northern North America. I use an image of it for my logo, and I even have it in a tattoo. I have always loved driving in the mountains of British Columbia, where I was born and raised, and seeing the lovely mats of Dwarf Dogwood growing at the forest edges. It is a true icon of Canada and a fond memory of home. Dwarf Dogwood or Bunchberry is part of the Cornaceae or Dogwood family. It, like the name suggests, is a dwarf dogwood sub-shrub. Their lovely white ‘flowers’ are not the actual flowers of the plant. What people think of as 4 white petals are actually showy bracts (modified leaves). The actual flowers are the tiny tubular flowers clustered in the middle of the four white bracts.

Description of Bunchberry Dwarf Dogwood Cornus canadensis

Cornus canadensis Stem & Leaves

Cornus canadensis is a slow-growing herbaceous sub-shrub reaching 5-25 cm tall. It spreads from slender creeping rhizomes, often forming a small carpet of clonal plants. The thin stems grow vertically from the ground level, are appressed hairy, and are often branched but only at the most distant node.

While the leaves are technically arranged oppositely on the stem, they appear to be whorled because the internodes are so compressed. They are produced near the terminal node and appear in two sizes, usually with 2 larger and 4 smaller leaves, although sometimes they all appear to be the same size. The smaller leaves grow from the axillary buds of the 2 larger leaves.

Leaves grow on leaf stalks (petioles) that are 2-3 mm in length. The leaves are glossy dark green above and pale green below and are obovate in shape. They are 3.5 – 4.8 cm long and 1.5 – 2.5 cm wide with entire margins, wedge-shaped bases, and acuminate tips. In the fall, the leaves turn red.

Cornus canadensis Flowers

Flowers appear from late spring to mid-summer and are not the single large white flower they at first appear to be. Instead, the four white ‘petals’ are actually showy bracts that are ovate in shape and 0.8 – 1.2 cm long and 0.5 – 1.1cm wide with 7 parallel veins on them.

The actual flowers are white, 2 mm in diameter, and have recurved petals that are ovate–lanceolate in shape. They are 1.5 – 2 cm long and grouped in tightly clustered terminal compound cymes of 12 – 40 flowers found in the center of the showy bracts, making them look like a single larger flower.

The tiny flowers have a tubular calyx (sepals) 1 mm long that is densely covered with pubescent hairs and adpressed greyish-white glandular hairs. The calyx is creamy white at first but turns purple as the fruit matures.

Cornus canadensis Fruits

The fruit is usually called a berry. However, botanically speaking, it is actually a small red drupe. The drupes appear in clusters of 4-15. They are red, globose in shape, and 6 – 9 mm in diameter. The seed is encased in a stone pit that is ovoid in shape and 2.3 – 3.3 mm by 1.7 – 2.3 mm in size.

Similar Species Cornus canadensis is Frequently Confused With

There are only a couple of unrelated species which are occasionally mistaken for Cornus canadensis, but they can easily be distinguished as follows:

• Trillium grandiflorum has, at first glance, similarities with the ‘whorl‘ of green leaves and a single white flower in the center. However, the flower is not a collection of showy bracts surrounding tiny tubular flowers. Instead, it is a three-petaled white flower. Also, the leaves are in a whorl of 3 rather than 6. It is found in eastern Canada and the eastern US.
• Lysimachia borealis Northern Starflower is a native plant found in central and eastern Canada and the eastern US that also has a collection of ‘whorled leaves’. However, it usually produces 2 or 3 white flowers on long flower stalks (pedicels), each with 7 white petals.

Cornus canadensis also has two look-alikes in the same genus. All other Cornus species in North America with showy petaloid bracts like these are trees or shrubs, making them easy to distinguish. The two low-growing subshrubs can be differentiated from Cornus canadensis as follows:

• Cornus unalaschkensis is found in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and northern California. It is the most frequently confused species with Cornus canadensis because, at a quick glance, they look almost identical. Generally speaking, however, while the ranges come close, they do not typically grow together in the same area. This species is mostly confined to the Cascade Ranges of western North America though it does also go somewhat inland from there. Cornus canadensis, on the other hand, is much more widespread in North America. While they do appear very similar, upon closer inspection, their leaf stalks (petioles) are from 0 – 3.4 mm in length, so that if there is no petiole, it is likely Cornus unalaschkensis. Also, the bracts are often white but may also be greenish-white or red-tipped. Its flowers and calyx may be cream or mottled purple when in flower, not only when in fruit. This is often the easiest distinguishing factor. They also appear a bit more symmetrical in their leaf sizes and arrangement.
• Cornus suecica Swedish Dwarf Dogwood is only found in Atlantic Canada and Alaska. It is also quite similar to Cornus canadensis but can easily be distinguished by its dark purple flowers that are never cream-colored. Furthermore, its bracts are often red or purple-tinged, and its fruits are slightly smaller, with only 3 – 8 drupes in a cluster. Its limited range and purple flowers make it fairly easy to differentiate the two species.

Distribution of Bunchberry Cornus canadensis

Dwarf Dogwood is a widespread northern North American species. The furthest south it is found is in the mountains of northern New Mexico. It is otherwise not found in southern North America.

In Canada, Bunchberry is found in every province and every territory.

In the USA, Bunchberry is found in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North & South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Dwarf Dogwood is not found in Mexico.

Habitat & Growing Conditions of Bunchberry Cornus canadensis

Cornus canadensis is a mesophyte that requires cool and moist conditions in order to survive, which is why it is only found in northern North America and south as far as New Mexico but only in the mountains.

Its soil preference is on the acidic side.

It prefers partial shade but occasionally can be found in full sun conditions higher in the mountains where the soil is cool and moist.

Dwarf Dogwood lives in montane and boreal coniferous forests as well as mixed forests throughout its range. It is often found at forest edges both in the open and partway into the forest but is rarely found under a dense closed canopy. Often it frequents mossy areas and grows on old tree stumps.

Growing Cornus canadensis in Your Garden

Make sure that the chosen location in your garden is similar to how it grows in its natural environment. If you have partially shaded woods or the edge of a forest or tree habitat, that would be ideal. Otherwise, growing anywhere in partial to full shade will also work but be sure to amend the soil with lots of organic matter and keep the soil slightly on the acidic side.

Do not try to grow it in your garden in full sun, compact soil, alkaline soil, or hot climates, or it will not thrive. It grows best in USDA zones 2-6 in cool temperate climates. Other than that, it is an incredibly beautiful, low-maintenance plant that is super easy to grow once established if the conditions are right for it!

The most reliable and fastest way to propagate Cornus canadensis is by taking cuttings just below the soil surface in mid-summer. Plant them in light, humus-rich soil and keep them moist, and they should grow readily.

Seeds can take up to 3 years to germinate, but if you want to plant them from seed, they can also be planted outdoors in the fall. Bury them 1 – 2 cm deep and keep the soil moist.

If you are starting the seeds indoors, you will need to put the seeds in moistened coconut coir (a more sustainable and environmentally friendly substitute for peat moss) in your fridge for 3 months before sowing them as they require cold stratification in order to germinate.

Wildlife Values of Cornus canadensis

Native bees and hoverflies routinely visit the flowers, assisting in pollination.

Many native birds feed on the abundant small red drupes, which are the main agent for spreading the seeds.

Cornus canadensis is also an important forage plant for mule deer, black-tailed deer, and elk, which eat the leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Status of Cornus canadensis

Dwarf Dogwood is considered Globally Secure, G5.

In Canada, Dwarf Dogwood is considered Locally Secure S5 in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, including Labrador, and the Yukon Territories. It is currently unranked in the Northwest Territories and in Nunavut.

In the USA, Cornus canadensis is considered Apparently Secure S4 in Montana, North Dakota, and New York. In Colorado, it is considered Vulnerable S3. It is considered Imperiled S2 in Wyoming, California, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. It is Critically Imperiled S1 in New Mexico, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. In all other states where it is found (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine), it is as yet unranked.

Cornus canadensis is not found in Mexico.

Traditional or Other Uses Dwarf Dogwood

Cornus canadensis Medicinal Uses

The Abenaki used a decoction of the whole plant as an analgesic, particularly for side pains. Algonquin people used an infusion of the leaves as a cathartic tea, and they used the whole plant with other plants as a remedy for colds and gynecological complaints.

The Carrier and Paiute people used a decoction of the plant (but not the berries) as an eyewash and to treat the eyes after removing foreign objects.

The Costanoan used a decoction of the inner bark to treat fevers, and Delaware used it for body pains. Iroquois used a decoction of the whole plant for colds, fevers, and tuberculosis.

Hoh and Quileute used the bark as a tonic, and they also dried and smoked the leaves.

The Malecite and Micmac used an infusion of the whole plant for convulsions and fits, and the Montagnais used it for paralysis.

Ojibwa used a root infusion to treat colic in infants.

The Thompson people used a powdered leaf or leaf ash to sprinkle on sores to help them heal.

Bunchberry as Food

The Abenaki, Algonquin, Chippewa, Cree, Eskimo, Kwakiutl, Makah, Nitinaht, Potawatomi, and Salish all ate the fruits as a food source, mostly fresh and raw.

Haisla and Hanaksiala used dried fruits as a winter food source, and they mixed fruits with oolichan grease as a dessert.

The Hesquiat mixed the raw fruits with dogfish oil and fed it to the elders as a special treat at feasts.

Hoh and Quileute people also used the fruits in ceremonies.

Dwarf Dogwood as an Ornamental

Cornus canadensis, while not widely used as a garden ornamental, it does make a lovely ground cover for forested or shady yards in northern North America.

The glossy green foliage and bright white bracts make it a nice addition to shade gardens. In the autumn, the leaves turn a nice burgundy color as well.

Ethical Wildcrafting of Cornus canadensis

Check the status in your state before harvesting since it is imperiled or vulnerable in several states. See the above section on Status.

Alternatively, grow it in your garden for both its lovely leaves and flowers as well as its useful properties.

If you are harvesting Cornus canadensis from the wild, as always, use the 1 in 20 rule of Ethical Wildcrafting. Pick one in every 20 flowers, leaves, or plants that you see from a healthy population.

Wildcrafting and Processing

Picked fruits, leaves, or roots can be placed in a basket, bowl, or paper bag and brought home for processing. If you are harvesting multiple products on the same day, be sure to label the roots in a paper bag so that you do not confuse different plants.

Bunchberry berries can be eaten fresh or cooked upon picking. If using it medicinally, it can be dried for later use.

To dry the leaves or fruits, simply place them on a rack or screen in a single layer and allow them to dry. Roots should be brushed clean of any dirt and then chopped into more manageable pieces before drying. Dried roots are notoriously difficult to cut into smaller pieces once dried.

Once dried, the leaves, fruits, and roots can be stored in a jar for later use. Label your jar with the species’ name and the date of harvest. I also usually add the location of the harvest for my own reference.

Do not grind or crush the leaves or roots until you are ready to use them to keep them as fresh as possible and preserve their medicinal properties. When you pre-grind, even if stored in glass jars, this increases the oxidation rate and rapidly degrades the medicinal properties so that they are rendered ineffective in a shorter amount of time than if left as whole as possible.

References and Resources

Canadensys Plant Search https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search

Dictionary of Botanical Terms – by Lyrae’s Nature Blog https://lyraenatureblog.com/blog/dictionary-of-botanical-terms/

Eflora.org on Cornus canadensis http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242443972

iNaturalist Plant Search https://www.inaturalist.org/home

IUCN Red List https://www.iucnredlist.org/

Native American Ethnobotany http://naeb.brit.org/

NatureServe Explorer https://explorer.natureserve.org/Search

USDA Plants Database https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home

Willis, Lyrae (Unpublished).  Plant Families of North America. 

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