Japanese flowering dogwood (Cornus kousa, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 13: 105 (1873))

Family: Cornaceae

Author: Bürger ex Hance

Bibliography: J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 13: 105 (1873)

Year: 1873

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cornus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Sikkim, China to Temp. E. Asia

Description

The Japanese flowering dogwood, scientifically known as Cornus kousa, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Cornaceae family. This striking plant has garnered admiration for its elegant beauty and adaptability, making it a cherished addition to gardens and landscapes across temperate regions. The species was first officially documented in a botanical journal in 1873 by Bürger ex Hance.

Native to the regions spanning Sikkim, China, and extending across temperate Eastern Asia, the Japanese flowering dogwood thrives in a variety of settings. It prefers well-drained, fertile soils and can often be found flourishing in both forested areas and cultivated landscapes.

One of the most spectacular features of Cornus kousa is its showy floral display. Typically blooming in late spring to early summer, the tree produces an abundance of star-shaped, creamy white to pink bracts that surround a modest cluster of yellow-green flowers. These bracts, often mistaken for the flowers themselves, provide a visually stunning contrast against the lush green foliage, creating a breathtaking spectacle during the blooming season.

Aside from its ornamental value, the Japanese flowering dogwood also produces small, berry-like drupes that ripen to a beautiful red hue in the fall. These fruits are not only decorative but also provide a food source for various bird species, thus contributing to the ecological diversity of its habitat.

Cornus kousa is also admired for its attractive, mottled bark, which adds visual interest throughout the year, especially in winter when the tree’s bare branches reveal its unique texture. The foliage of the Japanese flowering dogwood transitions to a rich red or purple in the autumn, further enhancing its seasonal appeal.

In summary, the Japanese flowering dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a versatile and aesthetically pleasing tree that offers year-round beauty and environmental benefits. Its hardiness and adaptability make it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers who seek to introduce elegant, botanical splendor into their outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Eng: japanese dogwood, kousa, kousa dogwood
Fra: cornouiller kousa
Deu: japanischer blumen-hartriegel
Swe: koreansk blomsterkornell
En: Japanese Flowering Dogwood, Japanese dogwood, Kousa dogwood, Kousa, Kousa big-bracted-dogwood
Fr: Cornouiller kousa
De: Japanischer Blumen-Hartriegel
Sv: Koreansk blomsterkornell

Synonyms

• Cynoxylon japonicum ((Siebold & Zucc.) Nakai)
• Cynoxylon kousa ((Bürger ex Hance) Nakai)
• Dendrobenthamia japonica ((Siebold & Zucc.) Hutch.)
• Benthamidia japonica ((Siebold & Zucc.) H.Hara)
• Benthamia japonica (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Benthamia kousa ((Bürger ex Hance) Nakai)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Sep 20, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by anna rippl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by black (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 8, 2020 by Henkel Hannah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Petit Claude (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2021 by Estelle Harris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Alexandre Colussi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Marta Kominek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by Marleen F (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2010 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 24, 2022 by Julie M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Simon Goodall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Simon Goodall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 24, 2021 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Johannes Töger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Peace Andlove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by black (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Lavinia Chu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Peace Andlove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Ling TAN (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3082274)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30115668-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cornus kousa F.Buerger ex Hance)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth