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Cornus sanguinea
  • Dogwood

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

Cornus sanguinea Sturm39.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
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,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    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 sanguinea has 2 edible uses listed
Cornus sanguinea has 6 material uses listed
Cornus sanguinea has 3 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Contrary to some reports, the fruit is not poisonous, but the leaves can cause skin irritations to sensitive people[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. A bitter flavour, it can also have an emetic effect on the body[3][4][5]. It is not worthwhile[6]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[7]. An oil is obtained from the seed[8], it is edible when refined[9].

Fruit

Unknown use

Unknown part

Oil

Material uses

The seed contains 45% of a non-drying oil[10], it is used in soap making and lighting[4][11][12][6][13].

A non-drying oil is also obtained from the pericarp, it is used for lighting[10]. The pericarp contains 19 - 35% oil[10]. A greenish-blue dye is obtained from the fruit[11][10]. The young stems are very flexible and are used in basketry[4][11][10][12].

Wood - tough, hard. Used for small items such as tool handles, turnery etc[5][14][6]. A good quality charcoal is obtained from the wood[6], the wood also makes an excellent fuel[6].

Unknown part

Basketry
Charcoal
Dye
Fuel
Oil
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent and febrifuge[4]. It is used to treat fevers[15].

The leaves are sometimes used externally as an astringent[4].

The fruit is emetic[4].

Unknown part

Astringent
Emetic
Febrifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

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[16][17]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[16][18]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[18]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[16][18]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[18]. 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[19].

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

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cornus sanguinea. 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[3], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are relatively shade tolerant, though they are not happy when growing in dense shade[20]. They grow badly when exposed to strong cold winds[20].

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[21]. The flowers have a rather unpleasant smell to most people, though they are attractive to insects[20]. Plants have a suckering habit and can quickly form dense thickets[20]. They can be coppiced regularly and will throw up long straight stems after being cut back[20].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cornus sanguinea. 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 sanguinea.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cornus sanguinea
Genus
Cornus
Family
Cornaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[4][15]
Material uses & Functions
[10][4][11][12][6][13][5][14]
Botanic
[5][22][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Basketry)
  • Unknown part (Charcoal)
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Fuel)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Unknown part (Wood)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Astringent)
  • Unknown part (Emetic)
  • Unknown part (Febrifuge)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
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
    ?
    Mature Size
    3 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    17. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.220.320.4 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
    21. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    22. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17


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