Japanese Cornel Dogwood
Arbor Walk #113, TreeKeeper ID #3538
The Japanese Cornel Dogwood boasts elegantly characteristic dogwood leaves, edible fruits (yet quite astringent when raw), and traditional medicinal use in East Asia for liver and kidney illnesses.
Although related to Missouri’s state tree, the Flowering Dogwood (Benthamidia florida), the Japanese Cornel Dogwood differs in its flower shape and color. The Japanese Cornel Dogwood has much smaller bracts and is yellow, but the reproductive parts of the flower are much more noticeable. The ‘Kintoki’ cultivar especially is known for its large clusters of flowers.
| Common Name(s) | Japanese Cornel Dogwood |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Cornus officinalis |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | ‘Kintoki’ |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
Coming soon
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
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Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.5 | 28 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.9 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 | N/A |
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the Japanese Cornel Dogwood are typically 2″ to 4″ long and 1″ to 2″ wide. They are usually ovate to elliptical. The margins are entire, and the venation is arcuate (curving towards the tip) with very noticeable arcuate veins. The leaf arrangement is opposite.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twigs of the Japanese Cornel Dogwood are red and pubescent (hairy). The terminal bud is typically a flower bud. The flower buds are more globular than the leaf buds, which are deep red and yellow with a elliptic shape.
Bark Identification
The Japanese Cornel Dogwood’s bark is reddish-brown and exfoliates.
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the Japanese Cornel Dogwood are bright red drupes. They are usually about 1/4″ long and 1/8″ wide.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Japanese Cornel Dogwood form umbels. They are dandelion yellow with 4 to 5 petals and 4 drooping bracts.
‘Kintoki’ Identification
‘Kintoki’ Japanese Cornel Dogwoods produce larger and more numerous flower clusters.
