# Pacific Dogwood (*Cornus nuttallii*) The Pacific Dogwood is a beautiful tree with lovely white flowers that bloom in spring. Its branches are strong and can grow quite tall, making it a favorite in forests and parks. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Western Dogwood ![Pacific Dogwood](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cornus_nuttallii_08546.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cornus_nuttallii_08546.JPG) ## Appearance The Pacific Dogwood is a medium-sized tree with striking white or pinkish petal-like bracts surrounding tiny yellow-green flowers. Its large, dark green leaves turn vivid red and purple in autumn, complemented by clusters of bright red berries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Cornales - **Family:** Cornaceae - **Genus:** Cornus ## Interesting facts - Its big white 'petals' are actually modified leaves called bracts! - Its wood is incredibly hard, once used for golf club heads and tool handles! - Native peoples made dyes from its bark and used parts for traditional medicines. - The name 'dogwood' may come from 'dagwood,' meaning strong wood for skewers! ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Lure:** Pacific Dogwood has huge white 'petals' (bracts) that cleverly attract insects for pollination even though its true flowers are tiny. - **Berry Beacon:** This tree produces bright red berries that signal to birds they are ripe for eating, helping the tree spread its seeds far and wide. - **Autumn Showstopper:** Its leaves transform into brilliant red and purple hues each fall, making it stand out and prepare for winter dormancy. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 500-2000 cm - **Spread:** 300-1000 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Eats bright red berries for food. - **Eaten by:** [Western Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus griseus*) — Consumes its seeds, aiding in dispersal. - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits tiny flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — Helps spread pollen between flowers. ## 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. - [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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Protected](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/protected): Protected status signifies a species or area is safeguarded by legal measures and conservation efforts to prevent harm or loss. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't climb too high in trees, and watch out for falling branches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific Dogwood? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Pacific Dogwood? 500-2000 cm ### How wide does Pacific Dogwood spread? 300-1000 cm ### How big are the flowers on Pacific Dogwood? 5-10 cm ### When does Pacific Dogwood bloom? Spring ### Is Pacific Dogwood edible? No ### Is Pacific Dogwood toxic? Mild ### What is Pacific Dogwood's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Regional Parks Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/regional-parks-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dunsmuir-botanical-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Empire Mine State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/empire-mine-state-historic-park) — California, US · State Park - [Giant Forest Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/giant-forest-lodge-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see Pacific Dogwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-dogwood) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Pacific Dogwood: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-dogwood)