Common Names: Bunchberry Dogwood, Dwarf Dogwood, Canadian Bunchberry, Dogwood Bunchberry, Ground Dogberry.

 Parts Used: Fruit, Leaves, Roots

Description: A low, deciduous, perennial rhizomatous shrublet, 2"- 8". Tiny white clusters of flowers surrounded by four large white bracts, giving the appearance of a single blossom. Leaves in whorls of six. Fruit is a scarlet drupe. Flowers May-August. The leaves, which are dark-green and shiny in summer, become wine-red in fall.

Habitat: Found in cool woods; Northern North America, south in mountains. Also Northeast Asia. Southern limit of range may be due to its preference for cool, acidic soils and its inability to survive in summer soils warmer than 65º F. shade; growth most vigorous in partial shade. Moist, well-drained sites preferred. Cool, acidic soil (pH 3.0 to 7.9).

Cultivation

Grows with: Twinflower, greenish flowered wintergreen, Dwarf Red Blackberry, Starflower, and Kidney Leaf Violet, Pipsissewa, Wild Sarsaparilla, Blue Bead Lily, Goldthread, Mocassin flower, Sweet Scented Bedstraw, Canada Mayflower, Indian Cucumber-root, Mountain Woodsorrel, Coltsfoot, Sidebells Pyrola, Starflower, Painted Trillium.

Propagation and Reproduction: By seed, following cold stratification. Division is the most successful method. It spreads by underground stems. Mulching with peat moss or pine needles is beneficial. Self-sterile; dependent on pollinators such as bumblebees, solitary bees, beeflies, and syrphid flies. The flowers have one petal with an awnlike extension that initiates the explosive release of pollen. Seed dispersal by animal consumers. Seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy; germinates over a 3-year period, with most germinating in the first two years. Light may be required for germination. Low fruit set, low germination and survival rates, and slow early growth limit reproduction by seed; most regeneration is by rhizome.

Uses:

Miscellaneous: Rhizomes develop woody growth rings; examples have been found which are over 15' long and 36 years old! They can survive all but severe fires that remove the duff and heat the upper soil for an extended period and may survive hotter fires in moist sites such as depressions.

Flower Essence:  Useful for lack of mental focus; easily distracted by or caught up in the emotional turmoil of others.  Helps us become aware of and then release our attachment to distraction; promotes mental steadfastness and emotional clarity in demanding situations.