Flowering Dogwood
ExploreTrees
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
The Flowering Dogwood is a lovely tree that displays beautiful white or pink flowers in spring. It’s great for attracting butterflies!
Habitat: Woodlands and gardens
Appearance
The Flowering Dogwood has distinctive 'flowers' with four large white or pink petal-like bracts surrounding tiny yellow true flowers. Its deep green leaves turn vibrant reddish-purple in fall, and its bark often looks like alligator skin.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCornalesFamilyCornaceaeGenusCornus
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
22
Interesting facts
Its wood is so incredibly hard, it was once used to make shuttles for weaving!
Native Americans used dogwood bark to make a vibrant scarlet dye for fabrics.
Real dogwood flowers are tiny, tucked in the center of its showy 'petals'!
The cross-like pattern of its branches in winter inspired ancient legends.
Special abilities
Ability
Bract Beacon
Flowering Dogwood has large, colorful bracts that act like a giant beacon to attract pollinators to its tiny, real flowers.
Ability
Seasonal Wardrobe
Flowering Dogwood can change its leaf color from green to brilliant red and purple, signaling autumn and preparing for winter.
Ability
Birdy Buffet
Flowering Dogwood has bright red, nutrient-rich berries that provide essential food for many birds in late summer.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 6-10 m
- Canopy Spread
- 4-8 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 15-30 cm
- Lifespan
- 60-80 years
- Fruit Type
- Drupe
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Consumes its red berries for energy.
eats
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browses on its leaves and twigs.
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits tiny central flowers for nectar.
parasitizes
Dogwood Anthracnose
Discula destructiva
A fungus that can cause severe disease.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Box DogwoodFlowering Cornel
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Flowering Dogwood?
6-10 m
How wide does Flowering Dogwood spread?
4-8 m
Is Flowering Dogwood edible?
No
How big is Flowering Dogwood?
15-30 cm
How long does Flowering Dogwood live?
60-80 years
Where is Flowering Dogwood usually found?
Woodlands and gardens
What kind of fruit does Flowering Dogwood produce?
Drupe
How fast does Flowering Dogwood grow?
Medium
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
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