Higher Taxon: Cornaceae -- The Dogwood Family
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The genus
Cornus
includes a number of deciduous trees and shrubs, totaling over 40 species of which 15 occur in the lower U.S., Canada, and Alaska (Duncan, 1988). Temperate regions serve as homes for most
Cornus
species, especially in the United States and Asia (but also in Europe and Africa). Some authorities favor dividing the genus into different groups, causing some confusion in the identitiy of the taxa (Hora, 1981). However, most would agree on some basic characteristics of the group. All species of the genus
Cornus
are described as follows:
...having pinnately veined leaves in lateral veins attached to the basal 2/3 of midrib only and arching in such a manner that the tip of each vein is nearer the midvein than is the middle portion. This pattern of veination may differ below inflorenscences and on stunted twigs. Stipules absent. Flowers bisexual, petals 4-5 and separate, the ovary inferior. Fruits are drupes with a thin pulp of 1 or 2 har stones, each containing a single seed.
Duncan & Duncan, 1988
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Most species have opposite leaves which are oval in general shape and are pointed at the tip (Cowan, 1992). With colors ranging from gray to reddich brown, the bark of the trees is typically very hard, close-grained and broken into small blocks. The dogwood trees are small and normally do not reach heights of more than 40 feet.
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The book
Trees of the Southeastern United States
gives an identification key to identify species in the genus
Cornus
(Duncan, 1988).
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A
species list
with their common names was compiles from various sources.