Dogwood

Dogwoods are one to three genera (depending on botanical interpretation) of deciduous shrubs and trees in the family Cornaceae.

• (Sub)genus Cornus (Cornels; 4 species)
  • Cornus chinensis (Chinese cornel). China.
  • Cornus mas (European Cornel or Cornelian-cherry). Mediterranean.
  • Cornus officinalis (Japanese cornel). Japan.
  • Cornus sessilis (Blackfruit cornel or Blackfruit dogwood). California.

• (Sub)genus Benthamidia (Flowering dogwoods; 5 species)
  • Cornus capitata (Benthamidia capitata; Himalayan flowering dogwood). Himalaya.
  • Cornus florida (Benthamidia florida; Flowering dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus kousa (Benthamidia kousa; Kousa dogwood). Japan & (as var. chinensis) China.
  • Cornus nuttallii (Benthamidia nuttallii; Pacific dogwood). Western North America.
  • Cornus urbaniana (Benthamidia urbaniana; Mexican dogwood). Mexico.

• (Sub)genus Swida (Dogwoods; about 20 species, including)
  • Cornus alba (Swida alba; Siberian dogwood). Siberia & China.
  • Cornus alternifolia (Swida alternifolia; Alternate-leaf dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus controversa (Swida controversa; Table dogwood). East Asia.
  • Cornus glabrata (Swida glabrata; Brown dogwood or Smooth dogwood). Western North America.
  • Cornus macrophylla (Swida macrophylla; Large-leafed dogwood). East Asia.
  • Cornus racemosa (Swida racemosa; Gray dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus rugosa (Swida rugosa; Round-Leaf dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus sanguinea (Swida sanguinea; Common dogwood). Europe.
  • Cornus stolonifera (Swida stolonifera; Red-osier dogwood). Northern North America.

Cornus florida
Dogwood berries encased in ice
Hemingway, South Carolina

It is called "dog" because of its deemed uselessness to human (berries not edible). However, its wood was a highly prized for making the shuttles of looms, for tool handles, and other items that required a very hard and strong wood.

A white dogwood flower
Early May in Pittsburgh, PA