Latin Name: Cornus stolonifera Michx.
General Description: An upright or loosely spreading shrub, commonly forms thickets and reaches a height of about 2 or 3. Common throughout southern Ontario. Throughout winter, stems are bright red.
Leaves: Simple, opposite and deciduous, blades 5-15 cm long and 2.5 – 9 cm wide, broadly oval shaped and tapers to a short point.
Twigs: Branchlets are green or with fine hairs, soon becoming smooth and purplish to bright red.
Fruit: Round, berrylike, 6 mm or more in diameter, usually white or slightly blue-toned, bears in August and September, grows in clusters.
Flowers: Small, dull white, in slightly rounded clusters; flowers in late June.
Sources used: Shrubs of Ontario by James H. Soper and Margaret L. Heimburger (1994).