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Cornus florida
  • Flowering Dogwood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cornus genus in the family Cornaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cornus florida has 0 edible uses listed
Cornus florida has 0 material uses listed
Cornus florida has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

There is a report that the fruit is poisonous for humans[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - cooked. The fruit is not poisonous, but is almost inedible raw[2]. When the seed is removed and the flesh is mashed, it can be mixed with other fruits and made into jams, jellies etc[2]. The fruit, when infused in 'Eau de Vie' makes a bitter but acceptable drink[3]. One report says that the fruit is poisonous for humans[1]. The fruit is borne in clusters, each fruit being up to 15mm in diameter with a thin mealy bitter flesh[1]. The fruit is high in lipids, uo to 35% of dry weight[4].

Unknown part

Drink

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the fibrous root[3][5].

The peeled twigs are used as toothbrushes, they are good for whitening the teeth[3][5][6]. The juice from the twigs preserves and hardens the gums[3]. The twigs can also be chewed to make natural paintbrushes[6]. A black ink can be made from the bark mixed with gum arabic and iron sulphate[3]. The bark is very bitter, could it be used to make an insect or bird repellent[K]?

Wood - hard, heavy, strong, close grained, durable, takes a good polish and is extremely shock-resistant. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot and is used for making wheel hubs, tool handles, the heads of golf clubs, bearings, turnery etc[3][7][8][9][6][10][11].

Unknown part

Brush
Dye
Ink
Repellent
Dental care
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Flowering dogwood was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its astringent and antiperiodic properties[12]. It is little used in modern herbalism.

The dried root-bark is antiperiodic, astringent, diaphoretic, mildly stimulant and tonic[3][7][8][5][12]. The flowers are said to have similar properties[3]. A tea or tincture of the astringent root bark has been used as a quinine substitute to treat malaria[5][13][12] and also in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea[13]. The bark has also been used as a poultice on external ulcers, wounds etc[13][12]. The glycoside 'cornin' found in the bark has astringent properties[14]. The inner bark was boiled and the tea drunk to reduce fevers and to restore a lost voice[14][12]. A compound infusion of the bark and the root has been used in the treatment of various childhood diseases such as measles and worms[12]. It was often used in the form of a bath[12].

The fruits are used as a bitter digestive tonic[13]. A tincture of them has been used to restore tone to the stomach in cases of alcoholism[3].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antiperiodic
Astringent
Bitter
Diaphoretic
Poultice
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[15][16]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[15][17]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[17]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[15][17]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[17]. 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[18]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[19].

Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[19].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cornus florida. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[20], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[21]. Dislikes shallow clay soils and chalky soils[22][23]. Requires a neutral to acid soil according to another report[24]. Prefers a rich loamy well-drained soil[22]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[18]. Plants can be trained to grow against a wall when they prefer a position in light shade[24].

Plants are very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. but they are subject to damage by late frosts and are rarely successful away from the warmer counties of Britain[25][21]. They require a long hot humid summer if they are to grow well, doing best in the east or south-east of Britain[23][21] in areas that are not subject to late or early frosts. They do not generally do very well in the south-west, where the flower bracts are often damaged by frosts[21]. Medium to fast growing when young, but slowing with age[24]. Trees are short-lived[1]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[21][24]. It is the state flower of Virginia[26].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[21].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cornus florida. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cornus florida.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cornus florida
Genus
Cornus
Family
Cornaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][1][4]
Medicinal uses
[12][3][7][8][5][13][14]
Material uses & Functions
[3][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Botanic
[25][27][21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    6 x 8 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.11 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    16. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.3 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    20. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.121.221.321.421.521.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.1 Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
    23. ? 23.023.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    24. ? 24.024.124.224.3 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
    25. ? 25.025.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    26. ? Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    27. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Benthamidia florida1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cornus_florida&oldid=76479"
    Facts about "Cornus florida"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCornaceae +
    Belongs to genusCornus +
    Has common nameFlowering Dogwood +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useDrink +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageBenthamidia florida1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBrush +, Dye +, Ink +, Repellent +, Dental care + and Wood +
    Has mature height6 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antiperiodic +, Astringent +, Bitter +, Diaphoretic +, Poultice +, Stimulant + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageBenthamidia florida1.jpg +
    Has search namecornus florida + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCornus florida +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +