Red Osier Dogwood

The red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a shrubby plant that is native to California. It prefers wetter spots close to creeks, and it is often planted along streams to prevent soil erosion. Red osier dogwood has small white flowers that typically bloom from July to August, attracting native bees. It's also host to the spring azure butterfly. The indigenous Ohlone tribelets boiled the inner bark to make dyes and used the stems in basketry. Other native peoples, like the Lakotas, used the bark in smoking blends.