CORNUS SANGUINEA

COMMON DOGWOOD

Shrub with reddish branches that doesn't usually grow more than four or five metres tall. Its leaves are dark green on top and a little lighter on the underside. Its white flowers grow in corymbs at the ends of the leaves. The fruit, which is bitter and black when ripe, is a berry containing a single seed.

FUN FACT: The flexibility of its branches meant that the dogwood was used as an alternative to wicker for making baskets, bows and arrows. Its fruit is loved by both birds and even some mammals.