Red-twigged Dogwood, Red Osier Dogwood or Cornus sericea
Introduction
Red-twigged dogwood is a moisture-loving bush. It is also a flowering plant, which means it belongs to the group of plants that produces flowers and then develops fruits. It is called red-twigged because the young branches of this bush are bright, vibrant red. Even the older branches are a deeper red, almost a maroon. Some willow bushes, which grow in similar locations, have yellow branches. The red-twigged dogwood is very noticeable in winter and early spring as the bright red branches stand out against the snow and browns of the dormant grasses. The red-twigged dogwood is native to Nova Scotia.
Appearance and Habitat
The red-twigged dogwood likes to grow in sunny, wet soils. It is quite common in roadside ditches. Like the bunchberry (to which it is surprisingly closely related), it has glossy leaves with somewhat parallel veins. The leaves of the red-twigged dogwood are arranged opposite each other along the twig (but an even closer relative, the “alternate-leaved dogwood”, has similar leaves arranged alternately along the branches). In June the red-twigged dogwood produces clusters of white, four-petaled flowers. These flowers are pollinated primarily by bumblebees but also by some other bees and butterflies. The flowers develop into whitish berries with a single seed inside. The berries ripen in late summer/early fall and often stay on the branches into the winter, providing food for wildlife.
Relationships
Many different species of birds, as well as rodents and bears, consume the berries of the red-twigged dogwood. There are also a number of animals that eat the buds and twig tips throughout the winter. The branches provide a good place for many birds to nest in the summer. Like most plants, red-twigged dogwood roots have an important relationship with mycorrhizal fungi in the soil which provide the dogwood with hard to obtain nutrients in exchange for plant-produced sugars like glucose.
Human Use
Red-twigged dogwood is used by humans, even today – and has been for hundreds of generations. One of the current uses is in basket weaving; it is also used in seasonal arrangements, mixed with pine and fir boughs at Christmas time. The spring branches are quite flexible and their bright red colour makes them very attractive in a basket, especially when contrasting with other twigs (like the yellow willow). The twigs have also been used for making roasting sticks, arrow shafts and shuttles for weaving. The berries are edible, but not particularly tasty. Still, they were used by all indigenous peoples within the native range of the red-twigged dogwood. The inner bark was also dried and used as a tobacco replacement.
Scientific Name
Red-twigged dogwood is known scientifically as Cornus sericea.
~Monica Schuegraf
