Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry

Botanical Information

• Evergreen shrub, grows up to 15 cm
• Prefers exposed rocks and sand
• White urn-shaped flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer

Points of Interest

• Red berries have traditionally been an important food for Aboriginal peoples, especially in the North
• Used in many herbal remedies in North America and Europe, especially to treat kidney stones and urinary infections

Cornus nuttallii

Pacific dogwood

Botanical Information

• Deciduous tree, grows up to 10 m
• Prefers moist woods and stream banks
• White flowers bloom in the spring, sometimes again in the fall

Points of Interest

• Adopted as the floral emblem of British Columbia in 1956
• West Coast Aboriginal peoples used bark in remedies to purify the blood and treat stomach-aches
• Source of black dye used in basket making
• Wood suitable for tool handles and piano keys

Cornus sericea

Red-osier dogwood

Botanical Information

• Deciduous shrub, grows up to 3 m
• Bright red stems
• Prefers stream banks and moist woods
• White flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer

Points of Interest

• Aboriginal peoples included bark in remedies
• Traditionally infused to make tea
• Bark can also be used to make red and black dye
• Stems can be used to make baskets, bows and arrows