Bunchberry Dogwood
Cornus canadensis
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, China, Greenland, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Myanmar, Prince Edward I., Russia, United States
iNaturalist: © chriscgr (iNaturalist #108518575)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- Cornus canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- COCA13
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 20 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, green
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers cool, shaded forest floors
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Requires warm stratification (60 days) followed by cold stratification (60-90 days). Germination can be erratic and slow.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified using boiling water or H2S04 acid bath, then soaked in water. This is followed by a warm-moist stratification for 45 days and a cold-moist stratification for 90-140 days.
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand from locally native plants. The drupes are hand collected in late August and early September when they turn orange-red. Seeds are tan at maturity. Fruits are collected in plastic bags are are kept refrigerated prior to cleaning. There was no appreciable difference in germination percentages between acid scarified seed/ 90 day cold, moist stratification vs. non-scarified seed/5 month cold, moist stratification.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow at 4°C for 3 months, then place @ 20°C for 3 months. Germination if successful only when GA3 is used. Pulpy coat inhibits germination. Remove by soaking and rinsing in clean water for approximately 7 days. Discard water. * wash and rinse daily in clean water x 14 days to remove pulp