Cornus stolonifera

Red osier dogwood is in the genus Cornus of the dogwood or Cornaceae family and is native to northern and western North America. The branches and twigs are dark red, although wild plants may lack this coloration in shaded areas. It is also referred to as C. sericea.

In the wild, it commonly grows in areas of damp soil, such as wetlands. It is a medium to tall deciduous shrub, growing 1.5–4 m tall and 3–5 m wide, spreading readily by underground runners to form dense thickets.

• Leaves are opposite, simple, 5–12 cm long and 2.5–6 cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and smooth margin and veins curving towards the tips of the leaves; they are dark green above and pale gray below; fall color is commonly bright red to purple.
• Species is monoecious. Flowers are small (5–10 mm in diameter), dull white, in clusters 3–6 cm diameter.
• Twigs are bright red with numerous lenticels.
• Fruit is a round white berry 5–9 mm diameter and in clusters.