Mt. Persis -- Northwest Ridge -- July 9, 2011 -- Bunchberry dogwood

Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis L.) along the trail on the northwest ridge of Mt. Persis, Washington. A relative of ornamental dogwood trees, this low-growing shrub is found in every province in Canada and all across the northern United States. Later in th summer, clusters of bright red berries replace these white flowers. According to ethnobotanical reports, natives used Bunchberry dogwood as a remedy for a wide variety of ailments.