Carried by 0 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
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Cornus canadensis (Canadian Dwarf Cornel, Canadian Bunchberry, Crackerberry) is a herbaceous member of the Cornaceae (Dogwood) family. It is widespread outside of California, but within the state it is a rare species occurring only near the coast in Mendocino County. It grows about 20-30 centimeters tall and bears tiny flowers a few millimeters across that form a cluster at the center of four white, petal-like leaves 3-4 centimeter diameter. Each flower has highly elastic petals that flip backward, releasing springy filaments that are cocked underneath the petals. The filaments snap upward flinging pollen out of containers hinged to the filaments. This motion takes place in less than half a millisecond and the pollen experiences 800 times the force that the space shuttle does during liftoff. The Bunchberry has one of the fastest plant actions found so far requiring a camera capable of shooting 10,000 frames per second to catch the action (Edwards et al. 2005).
Perennial herb
8 - 12 in Tall
Slow
Evergreen
White
Summer, Spring
Containers, Groundcover
Partial Shade
Moderate
Medium, Standing
Prefers rocky acidic soil.
For propagating by seed: 1-2 mos. warm and 4-5 mos. cold stratification (USDA Forest Service 1974).
1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 14, 15, 16, 17
Bogs and moist open places
Douglas-Fir Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian
Use with other species of the northern coastal forests and woodlands
Butterflies and moths supported
1 confirmed and 7 likely
White Triangle Tortrix
Clepsis persicana
Polyphemus moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Large Aspen Tortrix
Choristoneura conflictana
Johnson's Euchlaena
Euchlaena johnsonaria