TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California Print edition is available from the University of California Press

	The second edition of The Jepson Manual (2012) is available from the University of California Press
	See also the Jepson eFlora, which parallels the Second Edition

CORNACEAE

DOGWOOD FAMILY

James R. Shevock

Perennial, shrubs, trees, sometimes dioecious
Leaves generally opposite, simple, generally entire, generally deciduous; stipules 0
Inflorescence: cyme or racemes, generally umbel- or head-like, sometimes subtended by showy, petal-like bracts
Flower generally small, generally bisexual; calyx generally 4-lobed; petals 0 or 4(5), free; stamens generally as many as and alternate petals; ovary inferior, chambers 1–4, each 1-ovuled, style simple, stigma 1–4-lobed
Fruit: generally drupe or berry
Seeds generally 1–2
Genera in family: ± 12 genera, ± 100 species: especially n temp (also s tropical, subtropical). Cult as ornamental (Cornus, Aucuba ); some timber species. Genera diverse; many have been treated as constituting families, but trend is to treat Cornaceae broadly
Reference: [Eyde 1987 Syst Bot 12:505–518]

CORNUS

DOGWOOD

Perennial, shrubs, trees
Leaves generally opposite or whorled, simple, generally deciduous; both ends generally tapered
Inflorescence small, head- or umbel-like, and surrounded by showy bracts (or cyme, large, open, lacking showy bracts)
Flower generally minute; sepals 4, fused at base; petals 4; stamens 4, attached to receptacle; style 1, thread-like, stigma simple
Fruit: drupe; stone 1–2-chambered
Species in genus: ± 50 species: n temp (rare in s hemisphere); many cultivated as ornamental, some for autumn color. Some fruit used for jam, syrup
Etymology: (Latin: horn, from the hard wood)
Divided by some into at least 6 genera.

Native

C. glabrata Benth.

BROWN DOGWOOD

Shrub, small tree 1.5–6 m, generally ± glabrous, generally forming clonal thickets
Stem slender, brownish to reddish purple
Leaves deciduous; blade generally 2–5 cm, lanceolate to elliptic, gray-green on both surfaces or paler beneath, veins 3–4 pairs; petiole 3–8 mm
Inflorescence: cymes, 2.5–4.5 cm wide; pedicels 2–3 mm
Flower: sepals generally < 1 mm; petals 4.5–5 mm, dull white; styles 3.5 mm, slightly hairy
Fruit 8–9 mm, white to bluish; stone 5–6 mm wide, nearly smooth
Ecology: Many, generally moist communities
Elevation: < 1550 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (uncommon in s California)
Distribution outside California: Oregon
Horticultural information: WET or IRR: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.