Who knows what this is?

In mid-November we wee walking on San Bruno Mountain, at the south end of San Francisco when we came upon this plant with white berries. I think it's a California native shrub, but I don't know its name. My best guess is a viburnum, but I am only about 20% confident of that guess. So this time, I put the question to you who are reading this blog. Do you know what species this is?

In the spring, this plant had flat clusters of white flowers. I shot those too, but don't remember the exact date, and don't know if I can find the images.So, any guesses from just this photo?

 

 

Comments

[Pam Peirce]

Red osier is a common name for Cornus sericea, which is also called creek dogwood, American dogwood, Colorado dogwood, and redtwig dogwood. The scientific name may also appear as Cornus stolonifera. It is found across the US, but the one I photographed is in a natural area, so I assume it is the California native strain known as "western dogwood." A lot of names, but I think this is the right species.

[Julie]

red osier dogwood?

[Pam Peirce]

David,

Yes, I think you are right. Thank you! I looked at the photo on CalPhotos and it looks like the same plant to me. I will try to locate my images of the flowers and post those as well.

[David Elhami]

I believe this plant is commonly known as Western Dogwood, Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis.

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=302277&one=T

But it is also referred to as Red willow, redstem dogwood, redosier dogwood.

http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_coseo.pdf

[Jane Huber]

brown dogwood?
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=2386