Cornus sanguinea   bloodtwig dogwood
           (Alt: Swida sanguinea )
  
Cornaceae
non-native                      woody           
Distribution: Greenbelt


USDA Plants Link: Cornus sanguinea   (COSA81)
Flora of North America Link: Cornus sanguinea


Bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a Eurasian species that has become established along the Boise River Greenbelt in central Boise and Garden City.  In some places, notably next to Boise State University, it is actually more common than its native look-alike, red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea).  The most unequivocal diagnostic character is berry color:  black in bloodtwig dogwood, white or pale bluish in red-osier dogwood.  The leaves are also sufficiently different to aid in identification, with those of bloodtwig dogwood having fewer veins on average and a blunter apex.  Care should be taken when selecting plants to propagate for restoration purposes!






Trail guides, walks or articles that mention Cornus sanguinea