Red-osier Dogwood / Cornus sericea

The berries of the widespread, native Red-osier Dogwood are attractive but bitter tasting, but popular with birds. The cluster of white flowers that produce these berries appear in late May. The long, oval leaves have veins that all point to the leaf tip, an easy way to identify them. In autumn, these leaves turn a very noticeable reddish purple. The reddish bark is most often found on the young branches. Photographed this one at Lorette Ponds, Kananaskis, on Wednesday.