How to Identify Cornaceae

Cornaceae is a plant family in the Plantae kingdom, order Cornales, class Magnoliopsida. The family contains 29 accepted species worldwide. Some species in this family are toxic — exercise caution when handling unknown specimens.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Cornaceae Species

How to identify Cornus canadensis L.

Cornus canadensis L.

Cornus canadensis L.

Cornus canadensis is a small herbaceous perennial that grows as carpet-like grou…

How to identify Cornus obliqua Raf.

Cornus obliqua Raf.

Cornus obliqua Raf.

Cornus obliqua, or silky dogwood, is a North American native wetland shrub popul…

How to identify Cornus glabrata Benth.

Cornus glabrata Benth.

Cornus glabrata Benth.

Cornus glabrata is a North American native dogwood shrub that grows near water, …

How to identify Cornus alternifolia L.f.

Cornus alternifolia L.f.

Cornus alternifolia L.f.

Cornus alternifolia (alternate-leaf dogwood) is a small deciduous tree/shrub use…

How to identify Cornus mas L.

Cornus mas L.

Cornus mas L.

Cornus mas L. is a deciduous shrub or small tree with early yellow flowers, intr…

How to identify Cornus excelsa Kunth

Cornus excelsa Kunth

Cornus excelsa Kunth

Cornus excelsa Kunth is a small tree native to montane forests of Mexico and nor…

How to identify Cornus sessilis Torr.

Cornus sessilis Torr.

Cornus sessilis Torr.

Cornus sessilis Torr. is a deciduous dogwood endemic to northern California, tha…

How to identify Cornus amomum Mill.

Cornus amomum Mill.

Cornus amomum Mill.

Cornus amomum Mill. is a deciduous eastern North American wetland shrub used orn…

How to identify Cornus disciflora Moc. & Sessé ex DC.

Cornus disciflora Moc. & Sessé ex DC.

Cornus disciflora Moc. & Sessé ex DC.

Cornus disciflora is a tree native to mountain forests of Mexico and Central Ame…

How to identify Cornus kousa Bürger ex Hance

Cornus kousa Bürger ex Hance

Cornus kousa Bürger ex Hance

Cornus kousa is an ornamental dogwood tree with showy spring blooms, edible frui…

⚠️ Poisonous
How to identify Cornus unalaschkensis Ledeb.

Cornus unalaschkensis Ledeb.

Cornus unalaschkensis Ledeb.

Cornus × unalaschkensis is an edible North American dogwood, commonly called wes…

How to identify Alangium polyosmoides (F.Muell.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes

Alangium polyosmoides (F.Muell.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes

Alangium polyosmoides (F.Muell.) W.J.de Wilde & Duyfjes

Alangium polyosmoides is a small to mid-sized rainforest tree with distinctive y…

Browse all 29 Cornaceae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Cornaceae?

Cornaceae plants belong to the Cornales order in the Plantae kingdom. The most distinctive feature of Cornus obliqua is its small, creamy white flowers. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Cornaceae?

Cornaceae is classified in the order Cornales, class Magnoliopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. Its branches grow in distinct horizontal, tiered layers separated by gaps, creating a layered, tiered appearance with an overall flat-topped crown that resembles a pagoda.

⚠️ Are any Cornaceae species poisonous?

Yes, some Cornaceae species are toxic or poisonous. Always exercise caution with unknown specimens. View poisonous Cornaceae species or browse the full poisonous species guide.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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