Red Willow - Wozupi App

General Details

Dakota Name:

Ćaƞ śaśa

Scientific Name:

Cornus sericea

Alternate Names:

American dogwood, red-osier dogwood, redstem dogwood

Height:

Grows 4-1/2 to 20 feet

Flowers:

White to cream-colored, in small clusters, 1/4 inch across, with 4 narrow petals each. Blooms June to August.

Fruit:

White berries are smooth on the faces, furrowed on the sides, appear in summer.

Habitat:

Open wetlands, part-shade to sun.

Plant Characteristics

This woody deciduous shrub has reddish to purple bark and twigs with a white pith, and are fairly smooth from autumn to late spring. After the leaves have fallen, the deep burgundy
branches add color to the winter landscape. The bark, twigs, and leaves are bright green in spring through summer. The simple, opposite leaves are 2-4 inches long, dark green above and hairy
and lighter-colored below, smooth margins, rounded bases, pointed tips, and falsely parallel veins. Though similar, silky and red-osier dogwood can be distinguished by their pith and fruit color. Silky dogwood has a brown pith in 1-2 year old stems, dark green ovate leaves, yellowish-white flowers which bloom in mid-June, and bluish colored fruit which matures in September.

Dakota Cultural Use

Considered a traditional tobacco, this species is preferred for smoking.