Cox, Paul
Cornus racemosa Lam.
Gray dogwood
Cornaceae (Dogwood Family)
Gray dogwood is a thicket-forming,
deciduous shrub to 16 ft. in height with greenish-white blossoms in open, terminal clusters. Young twigs are reddish and the
fruit pedicels remain conspicuously red into late fall and early winter.
Fruit itself is a white, 1/4 in.
drupe that usually does not remain on the
shrub for long.
The
fruit of this dogwood is eaten by birds and other wildlife.
The genus cornus is Latin for a horn.
Image Gallery:
4 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: White, red stems
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AR , CT , DE , IL , IN , IA , KY , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI
Canada: MB ,
NB ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: ME to Ont. & Man., s. to SC & AR
Native Habitat: Thickets; river bank woods; wet to dry, low, open areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Will adapt to drier sites. Used in erosion control and for wildlife habitat. Resistant to most diseases, insects and physiological problems.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Fruit eaten by birds and other wildlife. Used by many bird species including Northern Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and Eastern Bluebird.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Cornus racemosa is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2010-09-09
