Cornus nuttallii
Mountain Dogwood
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cornus genus in the family Cornaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruit is possibly edible[6]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[10] and has a thin, mealy flesh[17].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bark is antiperiodic, cathartic, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[13][14][4][12]. An infusion is used as a quinine substitute in the treatment of malaria[13][4][11]. The infusion has also been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[12]. Externally, it is used to treat ulcers[12].
- Product or use
- Antiperiodic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An intense brown dye is obtained by boiling the bark[12]. The bark is rich in tannin and has been used as a preservative[12]. The long slender branches have been used in making baby baskets[12]. Wood - exceedingly hard, heavy, strong, close grained. It is used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[13][14][17][4].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Tannin
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - British Columbia to California and east to Idaho.
- Habitat
- Usually found in moist well-drained soils in the shade of coniferous trees to 1800 metres[17].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[16][3]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[16][5]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[5]. Scarification may also help as may a period of about 3 days warm stratification at 15°c before the cold stratification[16][5]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[5]. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[15]. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[15].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[1], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[10]. Another report says that it does not thrive in poor chalky soils[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[9]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[8], but they require long hot humid summers in order to promote good growth[10]. A very ornamental tree[1], but it is usually short-lived in Britain and does not do well in the north of this country[2]. There is some evidence to suggest that trees grow better on poor soils and can be killed by too much kindness. A very good tree has been seen on a poor gravel soil[7]. Closely related to C. florida[11]. This species is the floral emblem of British Columbia[11]. A number of named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X