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			British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide             |  | 
 
                   
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                                Dwarf 
                                  Dogwood(Cornus cadensis)
 a.k.a. bunchberry, pigeon berry
 
                        
                          
                            The 
                              Dwarf Dogwood is related to the flowering dogwood 
                              trees. These low, trailing plants (5-25 cm./3-8 
                              in. tall) are abundant throughout Canadian forests 
                              coast to coast.  
                        
                          
                            
  
                              
                               
                                LEAVES: 
                                   
                                - 
                                  Dwarf Dogwood leaves are oval, parallel veined, 
                                  2-8 cm. long  
                                - 
                                  in groups of 4 to 7 on a short stalk  
                                - 
                                  bright green with a whitish underside  
                                
                                FLOWERS: 
                                   
                                - 
                                  Flowers on the Dwarf Dogwood appear in late 
                                  spring  
                                - 
                                  the flowers appear to have 4 white petals - these are really the bracts that surround 
                                  the flower itself which is a cluster af small 
                                  (2 to 3 mm.), greenish petals bracts
  
                                 FRUIT:- 
                                  small (5 mm.), shiny, red berries that form 
                                  in August  
                                - 
                                  non-poisonous, appealing to birds  
                                
                                HABITAT: 
                                   
                                - 
                                  Dwarf Dogwood are found in shady, moist areas 
                                  in sea level to subalpine elevations throughout 
                                  the province  
                                - 
                                  Dwarf Dogwoodcan be found on old stumps or logs, 
                                  meadows and bogs  
                                
                                FASCINATING 
                                  FACTS:  
                                - 
                                  Dwarf Dogwood was introduced from Europe  
                                - 
                                  in the evening the flowers close  
                                - 
                                  the young tender leaves can be cooked or eaten 
                                  raw as a salad green  
                                - 
                                  resembles the dogwood tree in everything but 
                                  size  
                                - 
                                  by a unique mechanism the petals can propel 
                                  the pollen into the air.
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