Roughleaf Dogwood

Arbor Walk #159, TreeKeeper ID #6101

While the Flowering Dogwood is the most well-known of our Missouri dogwoods, being the official state tree of Missouri, the Roughleaf Dogwood may often be the first dogwood you see in natural areas around St. Louis. It is a more durable (though less showy) species and can survive in locations where Flowering Dogwood cannot, like drier or more disturbed sites. This also makes the Roughleaf Dogwood an excellent urban tree, as it can thrive in a variety of environments and conditions. In the wild, this species is able to hybridize with the handful of other dogwood species in Missouri, and has white flowers and fruit. The ‘KNI-Yellow’ cultivar has a unique yellow coloration of its flowers and fruits that brings a beautiful pop of color to the tree through the spring and summer seasons.

Common Name(s)Roughleaf Dogwood
Latin NameCornus drummondii
syn Swida priceae
syn Swida drummondii
Indigenous Name(s)
Cultivar/Variety‘KNI-Yellow’ LEMON DROPS
Commercial Name
Global Distribution

Map coming soon

Where to find Arbor Walk #159 on WashU campus
Our Roughleaf 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 Roughleaf Dogwood through time
Standard Measurements
YearHeight (m)DBH (cm)Crown Diameter N-S (m)Crown Diameter E-W (m)Average Crown Diameter (m)
Nests and Pests
YearDescription
How to identify a Roughleaf Dogwood
Leaf Identification

The leaves of the Roughleaf Dogwood are ovate or broadly lanceolate, about twice as long as they are wide, and ranging from one to five inches in length. The adaxial (upper) surface is dark green with short rough hairs, and the abaxial (lower) surface will typically have longer softer hairs. Like all dogwoods, the secondary veins have a special pattern where they curl towards the tip instead of branching towards the margin.

Twig and Bud Identification

Like all dogwoods, the leaves of the Roughleaf Dogwood are oppositely arranged, with small, sharply pointed buds at leaf axils. The twig is reddish and covered in a layer of minute hairs.

Bark Identification

The bark is gray-brown, and features shallow furrows and flat plated ridges that may interlace.

Fruit Identification

The fruit of the Roughleaf Dogwood is a small fleshy drupe (containing one stone-like seed). The fruits are generally white, although the ‘KNI-Yellow’ cultivar has pale yellow fruits. These fruits are very attractive to a variety of birds.

Flower Identification

The Roughleaf Dogwood flower is small, white, four-petalled, and borne in clusters. The ‘KNI-Yellow’ cultivar has pale yellow flowers instead of white.

ID Tips
  • The Roughleaf Dogwood has less showy flowers than the big-bracted Flowering Dogwood, as well as rough-haired leaves that are unique to the species.
Relationship of Cornus drummondii to other species in the arboretum
Additional resources on the Roughleaf Dogwood