Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood - Cornus florida (41123271645)

Cornus florida ssp urbiniana 2

Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Flower High DoF Cropped

Dogwood flower closeup 20080427 141400 1 crop sharp

Benthamidia florida8

Cornus florida, commonly known as the flowering dogwood, is a species of tree in the family Cornaceae native to eastern North America and northern Mexico. It is a popular tree in temperate gardens and landscapes, valued for its beautiful flowers, attractive foliage, and bright red fruits.

Description

Cornus florida is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that grows up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches). The bark is gray and blocky. Leaves are opposite, simple, ovate to oblong, 6–13 cm long and 4–6 cm broad, with an entire margin. They turn a rich red-brown in autumn.

The tree is best known for its flowering habit. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, surrounded by four large, showy white or pink bracts, which appear before the leaves in early spring. These bracts are often mistaken for petals. The fruit is a cluster of two to ten drupes, each 10–15 mm long and about 8 mm wide, which ripen in the late summer and the early fall. The fruits are a valuable food source for birds and wildlife.

Habitat and Distribution

Cornus florida is native to the eastern United States, from southern Maine down to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas and Mexico. It thrives in mixed forests and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forest edges, clearings, and along streams. It prefers moist, acidic soils and a position in full sun to partial shade.

Cultivation and Uses

Cornus florida is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree for its beautiful spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage. It is used in gardens and parks, and several cultivars have been developed to enhance its decorative appeal, including those with pink, red, and white bracts, as well as those with variegated foliage.

In addition to its ornamental value, the wood of Cornus florida is hard and dense, making it valuable for tool handles and other small items requiring tough wood. The fruits are also used to make jelly and wine.

Conservation

While Cornus florida is not currently listed as endangered, it faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and diseases such as dogwood anthracnose, caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. This disease has significantly impacted populations in the wild, leading to efforts to breed disease-resistant cultivars.

Gallery

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See Also

• Cornaceae
• Ornamental trees
• Deciduous trees

References

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