Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida, Sp. Pl.: 117 (1753))

Family: Cornaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 117 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cornus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: SE. Canada to E. Mexico

Description

The flowering dogwood, scientifically known as Cornus florida, is a cherished deciduous tree that graces many landscapes with its striking beauty. Native to a broad range of geographic areas, from the southeast of Canada down to eastern Mexico, this species demonstrates remarkable adaptability and resilience.

Belonging to the Cornaceae family, the flowering dogwood is distinguished by its stunning springtime display, where the branches are adorned with vibrant, petal-like bracts that can be white, pink, or even red. These bracts surround the true, smaller flowers clustered at the center, creating a spectacular visual effect which has made this tree a popular ornamental choice.

Flowering dogwoods are not just visually pleasing but also play a crucial ecological role. In their native habitats, they offer essential nutrients and shelter to various species of birds and insects. Their berries, ripening to a glossy red in the fall, provide a vital food source for wildlife as the seasons change.

In addition to its ecological contributions, Cornus florida holds cultural and historical significance. It has been used in traditional medicine, and its wood has been valued for its hardness and fine grain, suitable for crafting small, intricate objects.

The flowering dogwood’s distribution across such a wide range from southeastern Canada to eastern Mexico underscores its versatility and the suitable conditions it can thrive in, from the temperate climates of the north to the warmer regions further south.

In conclusion, Cornus florida is not only admired for its aesthetic contribution to gardens and landscapes but also remembered through historical botanical references, such as its early classification in the “Species Plantarum” in 1753. Its broad range, ecological importance, and cultural value make the flowering dogwood a remarkable and significant species within the Cornaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: american-boxwood, dogwood, eastern flowering dogwood, flowering dogwood, white dogwood, virgina dogwood, american boxwood, arrowwood, florida dogwood, white cornel
Deu: blumen-hartriegel
Swe: blomsterkornell
Fra: cornouiller à fleurs, cornouiller fleuri, cornouiller de floride
Spa: corona de san pedro, san pedro
En: Flowering dogwood, Eastern flowering dogwood, American-boxwood, White dogwood, Dogwood, Virgina Dogwood, American Boxwood, Arrowwood, Florida Dogwood, White Cornel, American Dogwood, New England Boxwood, Virginian Dogwood
Ar: قرانيا فلوريدا
Hy: Ճապկի
Ca: Cornus florida
Zh: 大花四照花
Cs: Dřín květnatý
Fr: Cornouiller à fleurs, Cornouiller fleuri, Cornouiller de Floride, Cornouiller à fleurs d’Amérique, Bois-de-chien
De: Blumen-Hartriegel, Blüten-Hartriegel, Amerikanischer Blumen-Hartriegel
It: Corniolo da fiore
Lt: Gausiažiedė sedula
No: Blomsterkornell
Fa: کورنوس فلوریدا
Pl: Dereń kwiecisty
Sr: Цветајући дрен
Es: Corona de San Pedro, San Pedro, Cornejo florido
Sv: Blomsterkornell

Synonyms

• Cornus candidissima (Mill.)
• Cornus florida var. urbiniana ((Rose) Wangerin)
• Cornus florida subsp. urbiniana ((Rose) Rickett)
• Benthamidia florida f. pendula ((Dippel) H.Hara)
• Cornus florida var. rubra (Weston)
• Cornus florida f. rubra ((Weston) Schelle)
• Benthamia florida ((L.) Nakai)
• Cornus florida var. rosea (Carrière & André)
• Cornus florida f. pluribracteata (Rehder)
• Cynoxylon floridum var. pendulum ((Dippel) Moldenke)
• Cornus florida var. pendula (Dippel)
• Cornus florida f. pendula ((Dippel) Schelle)
• Cynoxylon floridum var. rubrum ((Weston) Moldenke)
• Cornus florida f. purpurea (Geerinck)
• Cornus urbiniana (Rose)
• Benthamidia florida f. pluribracteata ((Rehder) H.Hara)
• Benthamidia florida var. pendula ((Dippel) Moldenke)
• Benthamidia florida var. rubra ((Weston) Moldenke)
• Benthamidia florida f. rubra ((Weston) H.Hara)
• Benthamidia florida f. xanthocarpa ((Rehder) H.Hara)
• Benthamidia florida ((L.) Spach)
• Benthamidia florida var. urbiniana ((Rose) H.Hara)
• Cornus florida f. xanthocarpa ((Rehder) Rehder)
• Cornus florida var. xanthocarpa (Rehder)
• Cynoxylon floridum ((L.) Britton & Shafer)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2018 by enzo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2019 by C Spraggins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 11, 2020 by Cathy Gallez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 27, 2020 by agostina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2017 by Mason Hoffman (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2017 by brahim (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 1, 2018 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by sobeknefret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2021 by K O (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2017 by Aliza Musleah (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 8, 2019 by Derek Turbacuski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Tora Litlabø (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Juan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Taylor (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 28, 2022 by Forest Switzerland (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Mia Concordia (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2020 by Paul Machto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2022 by Jenn R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Taylor (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3082240)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:271574-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cornus florida L.)

Specifications

Growth