New Species for Bird Runner! Red Osier Dogwood

Thanks to Al Alspach, who spotted this variety of dogwood, Cornus sericea, a new species for us at Bird Runner!    Al saw it along our stretch of McDowell Creek, next to the Creek Field.   I had seen it, too, but assumed it was Rough-leaved Dogwood with unusually red stems!  

Al identified it for us.  It is a native species, widespread in North America.  It is also known (for obvious reasons) as Red-twig Dogwood, Red-stem Dogwood, & Red Willow.   Consistent with where we found it, it is also called Creek Dogwood.

I am eager to see it when it blooms--and then compare it to Rough-leaved Dogwood.  One more thing to look forward to this spring!