Fauna
Plant

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Also known as American Dogwood

Flowering dogwood is a small understory tree with opposite leaves, blocky bark, and layered horizontal branches. Four large white or pink bracts surround each cluster of tiny true flowers in spring.

understory treespring bloomopposite leaves
Flowering Dogwood reference1 / 7
Eric Hunt / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyProduces energy through photosynthesis in filtered forest light and absorbs moisture through shallow roots
Predators
  • dogwood borers
  • deer
  • scale insects
ThreatsDogwood anthracnose, drought, root disturbance, deer browsing, and forest loss
HabitatsDeciduous forest understory, woodland edges, slopes, ravines, and cultivated gardens
Life spanOften about eighty years, although disease and site stress can shorten survival
Classification
  1. OrderCornales
  2. FamilyCornaceae
  3. GenusCornus
  4. SpeciesCornus florida
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Avoid cutting bark or compacting the shallow root zone around mature trees.
Responsible observation
  • Identify: Check opposite leaves and four notched bracts around tiny clustered flowers.
  • Observe: Inspect from established paths to protect shallow roots and understory soil.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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