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Family Cornaceae – Dogwoods The Dogwoods are some of our most familiar and beloved ornamental trees. Most of our featured trees reside at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. |
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 'Golden shadows' Pagoda Dogwood is a standout in shaded areas |
| The composition of the family Cornaceae has been a matter of much controversy among taxonomists for many years. Many sources, i.e. Flora of China treats the family as consisting of a single genus, Cornus, [1] while others include 17 or more genera. Cornus L. sensu lato consists of 55 species that are mostly trees and shrubs and rarely perennial herbs with woody rhizomes [2].
The USDA Plants Database includes Cornus, Aucuba, Campotheca, and Nyssa (tupelo) genera in the family [3]. |
 Cornus florida 'Cloud 9' dogwood flowers |
| The hard wood of several species of Cornus is used for making farming tools. The fruit of some species is used for food or as a source of industrial oil. Cornus mas Linnaeus is cultivated in China for medicinal uses. Many species are widely cultivated as ornamentals.
Fruit a drupaceous berry, white, blue, red, or black. Berries distinct or fused into a fleshy syncarpous compound fruit; stone of fruit bony [1]. Dogwood berries provide food for many animals, primarily birds. |
 Black / Sour Gum Nyssa sylvatica |
 Golden Shadowsâ„¢ Pagoda Dogwood |
 Dwarf Dogwood Cornus pumila |
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References
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