Red Osier Dogwood - Red Dye

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

Many people know this plant as a nice addition in a landscaped yard and for ornamental purposes: Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

While the berries of this plant are edible, they are not palatable. They look very beautiful to me though. It can grow up to 40 ft tall, the bark is brown and rough. The leaves are opposite, ovate and pointed and darker green above than beneath. As you can see from the picture, the white cluster of berries are a tell tale focal point in recognizing this plant.

We had just gone up to Pine to get load of wood at "Dog Creek" where the Camp host let us enjoy our lunch while he was closing the park for the season in trade for clearing some fallen branches off of his fifth wheel. We are ever so grateful.

Later down by the river I had found some interesting bugs to take pictures of when I just about jumped out of my skin at the sound of some big nostrils exhaling somewhere behind me.

In retrospect I think I remember a stomping sound,

so I doubt it was a bear, but you know I 'm not sure it would have been impressed with me waving a cell phone at it....

The dog wood: The people who have lived off the land used this plant for (amongst other things) the purpose of dying garments. From different recipes I have read I gather that salt can be used as a mordant. I have collected a couple of handfuls and intend to dry and then boil the bark, add Sodium Hydroxide (makes lye) then add it to the fat (all in proper proportions and temperatures) for a batch of red dogwood soap.