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Alaskan bunchberry Cornaceae Cornus unalaschkensis Ledeb. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: COUN
Leaf: Opposite (almost appearing whorled in a group of 4 to 6), simple, 2 to 3 inches long, (leaves lower on the stem much smaller and almost scale-like) arcuately veined, entire margin, dark green above, paler below, borne on a very short petiole.
Flower: Species is monoecious; very small, white with purple tips, surrounded by 4 large white petal-like bracts, similar to flowering dogwood but smaller, appearing in late spring.
Fruit: Bright red berry in a tight cluster, each 1/3 inch across, terminal clusters occur on a slender stem, ripen in late summer.
Twig: Barely woody except at the base, green.
Form: Very short, to 10 inches tall ending in a cluster of 4 to 6 leaves.
 Looks like: bunchberry

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Additional Range Information: Cornus unalaschkensis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information