# Kousa Dogwood (*Cornus kousa*) The Kousa Dogwood is a stunning tree with star-shaped flowers. It blooms later than many other trees, making it special! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Gardens and parks - **Also known as:** Chinese Dogwood, Kousa Cornel ![Kousa Dogwood](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424449/objects/4856.jpg) ## Appearance The Kousa Dogwood has striking white or pinkish petal-like bracts in late spring, creating a starry effect around its true flowers. Its red, bumpy, raspberry-like fruits appear in summer, followed by brilliant reddish-purple fall foliage. The exfoliating, mottled bark adds winter interest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Cornales - **Family:** Cornaceae - **Genus:** Cornus ## Interesting facts - Its showy 'flowers' are actually special leaves called bracts! - Some people use its ripe fruits to make delicious jams or wine. - The bark peels off in cool, puzzle-piece patterns as it ages. - This beautiful tree originally comes from countries in East Asia. ## Special abilities - **Starry Disguise:** Kousa Dogwood can produce large, white 'petals' (bracts) that attract pollinators to its tiny, true flowers. - **Seasonal Chameleon:** Kousa Dogwood has leaves that transform from green to brilliant reddish-purple in fall, signaling autumn's arrival. - **Edible Jewels:** Kousa Dogwood grows unique, bumpy red fruits in summer that are tasty and safe for humans to eat when ripe. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-12 m - **Spread:** 4-8 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 15-40 cm - **Lifespan:** 50-150 years - **Fruit Type:** Aggregate fruit (berry-like) - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Helps spread its pollen between blooms. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feasts on its ripe, red fruits. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Enjoys its seeds found within the fruits. - **Shelter:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Nests in its branches, seeking protection. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## 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 to identify Kousa Dogwood? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Kousa Dogwood? 5-12 m ### How wide does Kousa Dogwood spread? 4-8 m ### Is Kousa Dogwood edible? Yes ### How big is Kousa Dogwood? 15-40 cm ### How long does Kousa Dogwood live? 50-150 years ### Where is Kousa Dogwood usually found? Gardens and parks ### What kind of fruit does Kousa Dogwood produce? Aggregate fruit (berry-like) ## Where to spot - [Coulsontown Cottages Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coulsontown-cottages-historic-district) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic District - [Spring Grove Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/spring-grove-cemetery) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Queen Anne Boulevard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/queen-anne-boulevard) — Washington, US · Park - [Bready Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bready-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Clarence H. Clark Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clarence-h-clark-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Park - [Gartenschaupark Hockenheim](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gartenschaupark-hockenheim) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Park [View all places to see Kousa Dogwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/kousa-dogwood) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Kousa Dogwood: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kousa-dogwood)