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. Accessed 09 May. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 71 specimens of this Species.
118949 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Ilka's Fen
Date Collected2003-08-26
118951 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Devonian Botanic Gardens
Date Collected1999-08-30
120044 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Natural Area
Date Collected1987-08-14
120141 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2008-07-04
119935 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Robb
Date Collected1965-08-08
122030 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Date Collected2009-07-22
22362 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson
Date Collected1939-06-11
22363 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Brintnell Lake
Date Collected1939-06-28
98228 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Northwest Territories, Macmillan Pass
Date Collected1993-07-23
13573 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Gibbons
Date Collected1942-09-17
13572 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Fort Nelson
Date Collected1955-06-14
124020 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park, Kakwa Falls
Date Collected2006-07-12
124022 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park, Deadhorse Meadows
Date Collected2006-07-22
124921 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2010-07-08
29341 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Elk Island National Park
Date Collected1970-05-16
127471 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Hastings Lake
Date Collected1965-07-10
125972 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Hoadley
Date Collected2010-06-22
126969 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Breton
Date Collected2010-07-10
128874 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Horseshoe Ridge
Date Collected1983-06-30
134561 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Port Renfrew
Date Collected1973-06-04
134863 - Cornus canadensis L.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Namebunchberry, bunchberry dogwood, Canadian bunchberry
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Golden Ranches
Date Collected2012-06-07