Cornus canadensis, commonly known as bunchberry, is a shrubby deciduous ground cover that is native to deciduous and evergreen forests throughout North America. It is low growing and spreads in the landscape by creeping rhizomes. Flowers give way to terminal clusters of small berry-like drupes which ripen in August to bright red with good persistence on the plant until late fall unless consumed by birds. Drupes are edible for humans. This dwarf species of dogwood produces the same shaped leaves and flowers found on the familiar Cornus florida tree except in smaller size.