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 NameCornus officinalis
Indigenous Name(s)
Cultivar/Variety‘Kintoki’
Commercial Name
Global Distribution

Coming soon

Where to find Arbor Walk #113 on WashU campus
Our Japanese Cornel Dogwood in space
GPS Coordinates

N/A

Percent Concrete

N/A

Distance to Buildings
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Distance to Other Species
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Our Japanese Cornel Dogwood through time
Standard Measurements
YearHeight (m)DBH (cm)Crown Diameter N-S (m)Crown Diameter E-W (m)Average Crown Diameter (m)
20234.5282.73.12.9
Nests and Pests
YearDescription
2023N/A
How to identify a Japanese Cornel Dogwood
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.

Relationship of Cornus officinalis to other species in the arboretum
Additional resources on the Japanese Cornel Dogwood