Cornus florida
Flowering Dogwood
General
Flowering dogwood is a lovely, small understory tree (20-30 ft) with spreading, horizontal branching. Large white flowers (bracts) in late April to early May, followed by clusters of bright red fruits in the fall. The fruit of the flowering dogwood is a valuable food source for a large variety of birds and mammals. Prefers well-drained acidic soils.
Plant Description
Leaves are opposite and simple, with a slightly wavy edge. Flower is actually very small but is surrounded by 4 very showy, white bracts that appear like a large flower (3-4 inches). Fruit is a shiny red drupe, about ½ inch long, and flower buds look like tiny, gray softballs. The gray bark is smooth on younger trees and will develop a scaled pattern as it grows. In the fall, foliage turns a deep, ruby red.
Height (ft)
20-30
Spread (ft)
15-30
Soil moisture
Low moisture/well drained soils
Soil types
Medium to coarse in texture
Wetland indicator
FACU
Shade tolerance
Full Sun-Part Shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
May
Fall conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic tolerance
None
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
None
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Native and common from Maine to Texas, and to Florida, and extending north into Canada. Within the northeast, it is most common in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and least common in Vermont and Maine.
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the bark has been chewed for headaches, the root bark used for wounds and an infusion of the flower used to "sweat off the flu." A decoction of dried bark from the roots has been used as a tonic.