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Species Details
Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesTerminal whorl, 4-7, evergreen, oblong egg-shaped to diamond-shaped, 2-8 cm long, green above, whitish beneath, pinnately veined
FlowersInflorescence a head, subtended by bracts; flowers radially symmetric; bracts 4, white to pinkish or purple-tinged, broadly to narrowly egg-shaped; sepals 4, fused below, reduced, 0.4 mm long; petals 4, distinct, 1-1.5 mm long, greenish-white, purplish tinge; stamens 4; pistils 1, ovaries inferior
Fruits and SeedsDrupe, fleshy, red, 6-8 mm long, 1-2 seeded stone
Scientific Name
Cornus canadensis L.
Common Name
bunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
General Description
Perennial herb, rhizomatous; stem simple, erect, 5-25 cm tall, slightly hairy, greenish to reddish, leafless or with bracts
Leaves
Terminal whorl, 4-7, evergreen, oblong egg-shaped to diamond-shaped, 2-8 cm long, green above, whitish beneath, pinnately veined
Flowers
Inflorescence a head, subtended by bracts; flowers radially symmetric; bracts 4, white to pinkish or purple-tinged, broadly to narrowly egg-shaped; sepals 4, fused below, reduced, 0.4 mm long; petals 4, distinct, 1-1.5…
Inflorescence a head, subtended by bracts; flowers radially symmetric; bracts 4, white to pinkish or purple-tinged, broadly to narrowly egg-shaped; sepals 4, fused below, reduced, 0.4 mm long; petals 4, distinct, 1-1.5 mm long, greenish-white, purplish tinge; stamens 4; pistils 1, ovaries inferior
Fruits and Seeds
Drupe, fleshy, red, 6-8 mm long, 1-2 seeded stone
Phenology
Flowers in June
Notes
Similar species:
Cornus suecica
C. suecica can be distinguished by 3-6 equal pairs of peaves along the short stem and purple petals.
Cornus unalaschkensis
C. unalaschkensis can be distinguished by flowers that are…
Similar species:
Cornus suecica
C. suecica can be distinguished by 3-6 equal pairs of peaves along the short stem and purple petals.
Cornus unalaschkensis
C. unalaschkensis can be distinguished by flowers that are similar to those of C. sueocica but whorls of leave like C. canadensis.
Ethno-botanical uses:
The fruit is edible but is tasteless.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Throughout the province, excluding the grasslands
CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA,…
Alberta: Throughout the province, excluding the grasslands
CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY); DEN (GL); FRA (SPM)
Citation
Page Citation for Cornus canadensis L.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Cornus canadensis L., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4135/12-156132. Accessed 02 Jun. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 71 specimens of this Species.
113000 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coal Valley
Date Collected1987-23-06
113001 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Mountain Park
Date Collected1987-06-24
112998 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Cadomin
Date Collected1987-06-22
112999 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Lovett Lookout Tower
Date Collected1987-06-23
114838 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Redwater Natural Area
Date Collected2005-08-25
114684 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Chickakoo Lake
Date Collected2005-08-31
115926 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, University of Alberta Woodbend Field Station
Date Collected2006-06-13
115927 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Redwater Natural Area
Date Collected2006-06-21
115073 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected2005-10-20
115305 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fox Creek
Date Collected1984-07-09
115304 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ministik Lake
Date Collected1981-06-02
114714 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ilka's Fen
Date Collected2005-08-26
114659 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ilka's Fen
Date Collected2005-08-26
116524 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: United States, Montana, Toole County, Pratt Canyon
Date Collected1975-08-01
117745 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ilka's Fen
Date Collected2007-07-04
117864 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ilka's Fen
Date Collected2007-08-23
117746 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected2007-06-14
118032 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Quebec, Lac Memphrémagog
Date Collected1965-07-14
118800 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Sheep River Road
Date Collected1967-06-15
118948 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Devonian Botanic Gardens
Date Collected1999-09-06
118950 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, William A. Switzer Provincial Park, Gregg Lake
Date Collected1999-09-05