Cornus Stolinifera or Red Osier Dogwood or Red Twig Dogwood is an upright growing bush with deep red branches. They have white blossoms in spring & white berries in fall. It’s beautiful with the white snow.
White berries R not poisonous but R tart & bitter due 2 low sugar content. This makes them less attractive 2 wildlife but R also less likely 2 rot. The fruit lasts long into winter. People have eaten them throughout history. Food is scarce in winter & they R key food source of black & grizzly bears, song birds, waterfowl, mice, cutthroat trout, & other animals. Beavers use the hardwood 2 build dams.
Red dogwood often grow near a rivers edge making a good habitat 4 raising baby birds. It provides year round security & abundant food sources nearby. It can tolerate very wet soil & once it’s established can tolerate drought. It has been used medicinally in history. An extract made of inner bark, leaves & stems can B used 2 treat fever, cough, & other ailments. The red branches can B used 2 make red, brown & black dyes. The inner scrapings have long been added 2 tobacco. The red makes a striking pattern when used 4 weaving. Captured Oct 24, posted Nov 20, 2021.
