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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Hi-fi hunters gather for Grants Pass Record Convention ... Man hospitalized after stabbing at Sams Valley party ... Three rescued after boat capsizes near Shady Cove ... Hi-fi hunters gather for Grants Pass Record Convention ... Man hospitalized after stabbing at Sams Valley party ... Three rescued after boat capsizes near Shady Cove ... Red berries on dogwoods are the fruit Every winter, after the leaves have fallen off my dogwood tree, little red berries grow at the tip of the branches. What are those? A similar red berry also grows on my rose bushes. Is that the same thing? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 23, 2012 at 12:20 AM Updated Dec 23, 2012 at 3:20 AM Posted Dec. 23, 2012 at 12:20 AM Updated Dec 23, 2012 at 3:20 AM » Social News Every winter, after the leaves have fallen off my dogwood tree, little red berries grow at the tip of the branches. What are those? A similar red berry also grows on my rose bushes. Is that the same thing? — Susan L., Medford Red berries are to a dogwood what apples are to an apple tree and oranges are to an orange tree — its fruit. And just like those trees, the dogwood's showy white, yellow and pink flowers are the prelude of the fruit to come. (Think back to grade school when you learned that flowers are the reproductive structures of the plant and produce seeds, which can be dry or protected by a fleshy, sometimes edible, tissue.) "Your dogwood is doing exactly what dogwoods are supposed to do," said Master Gardener Bob Reynolds. "The blossoms produce the seeds, and this is the seed." While we don't suggest you eat them with your granola and yogurt in the morning, the dogwood drupes are not toxic, but side effects, such as rashes, have been reported. "One species, Cornelian cherry, is eaten regularly, although I think it's incredibly tart," Reynolds said. Birds don't seem to mind the tartness and feast on the fruit through the fall and into the winter. The waxy, hard berries on your rose bush are called "rose hips" and also are the result of nature's flower-to-fruit process. If you can beat the birds to these berries, they can be used in teas, jellies, soups, pies, potpourri and as a source of vitamin C. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 23, 2012 at 12:20 AM Updated Dec 23, 2012 at 3:20 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501