Cornus alternifolia
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood
General
Alternate-Leaved dogwood is a small tree or large shrub with a distinctive and attractive horizontal branching habit that gives this species a tiered look, which is why it is also known as pagoda dogwood. Food source for many types of wildlife.
Plant Description
Alternate-Leaved Dogwood is so called because its leaves are alternately arranged on the stem, an exception among an otherwise oppositely arranged genus. A small tree, or a large-multi-stemmed shrub, the habit of this tree is what really identifies it. The branches form tiers and the ends of the branches turn up. The cream-colored flowers sit atop the leaves, as does the blue fruit, in a cluster atop red pedicels. The fruit is very showy in a good year.
Height (ft)
15-25
Spread (ft)
20-32
Soil moisture
Medium
Soil types
Medium textured
Wetland indicator
UPL
Shade tolerance
Tolerant, Full Sun to Full Shade
Bloom color
Yellow and White
Bloom period
May - June
Fall conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic tolerance
None
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
No
Range
Grows along the eastern seaboard and into the Appalachian Mountains. Specifically, its range extends from southern Maine southward through New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and into the mid-Atlantic states such as New Jersey and Delaware. It also grows westward into the Great Lakes region, including states like Michigan and Wisconsin.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, this species has been used by many tribes. The bark has been chewed to treat headaches and root bark used as an antiseptic. An infusion of the bark used for backaches and as a stimulant.