SafePlants

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

The gray dogwood, scientifically known as Cornus racemosa, is a versatile shrub known for its adaptability and ecological value. It's often found in naturalized settings, offering multi-season interest with its flowers, berries, and bark.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the presence of berries.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions the presence of berries.

Common Names and Synonyms

• Common Names: Gray dogwood, northern swamp dogwood, panicle dogwood, western dogwood, gray twig dogwood
• Synonym: Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa (Lam.) J.S. Wilson

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cornus racemosa Lam.
• Family: Cornaceae
• Plant Symbol: CORA6 (as per the USDA National Plant Data Center)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
• Typically found in moist or rocky ground along streams, ponds, wet meadows, glades.
• Commonly forms thickets at wetlands margins, woods edges, streambanks, low spots in prairies and savannas, and along roadsides.

Ecological Role

• Excellent for naturalizing, especially in difficult sites like pond and stream banks.
• Can form thickets, sometimes considered a nuisance.
• The Spring Azure butterfly lays its eggs on the flower buds.
• It is the most abundant shrub in old-fields and utility rights-of-way

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A deciduous shrub, typically 3-8 feet tall, but can reach up to 15 feet, though seldom exceeds 6 feet.
• Forms thickets due to its clonal, suckering habit.
• Multi-stemmed habit.
• Bark of older branches is gray or gray-brown and slightly roughened.
• Young twigs are greenish-white.
• Leaves are simple, entire, and opposite, with lateral veins tending to arc toward the tip. Ovate to elliptical.
• Blooms in mid-July with greenish-white blossoms in open, terminal clusters.
• Flowers are dome-shaped clusters of 4-petaled white flowers
• Flowers give way to clusters of small white berries.
• Fall foliage is purple.
• Silvery gray bark in winter.

Quirky Facts

• While most dogwoods bloom earlier, Gray Dogwood stands out by blooming in mid-July.
• The plant has red pedicels, which provide an eye-catching contrast to the white flowers and berries.

Further Information

• Arbor Day Foundation: arborday.org
• USDA National Plant Data Center: npdc.usda.gov
• Encyclopedia of Life
• All-creatures.org