Cornaceae
Cornus unalaschkensis

Bunchberry

Trailing or ascending stems from rhizomes, less than 8 in. tall, evergreen leaves turning red in winter or sometimes deciduous. Leaves 4–6 in whorl with short petioles. Above leaves is a single head of 4 whitish petal-like bracts with small flowers in center. Fruit is a tight bunch of red berries, each with 1 pit. Most common of dwarf dogwoods, bunchberry grows in deep duff of moist forests or bogs throughout western mountains. Cornus canadensis is a very similar eastern species; the name has been frequently misapplied in the Northwest.

  • Rarity: Common
  • Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 4--8 inches
  • Habitat: West-Side Forest, Bog/Fen/Wetland
  • Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, Crater Lake Np, West Gorge, Siskiyous, N Cascades Np
  • Native: Yes

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