Cornus foemina P. Mill.

  • Family: Cornaceae (dogwood)
  • Common names: gray dogwood, stiff dogwood
  • Synonym: C. stricta, Swida stricta, Swida foemina

    Shrub or small tree to 5 m (15 ft) tall. Twigs thin, brown to reddish, with white pith. Leaves opposite, broadly lanceolate to narrowly elliptic-ovate, 2.5-7 cm (1-2.8 in) long and 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) wide, tapering to a long narrow tip, smooth dark green above, pale green below. Flowers numerous, small, white or greenish-white, blooming in Spring. Fruits bluish, round, about 6 mm (0.25 in) in diameter, maturing in Fall.

    Distribution: Native to about the southeastern quarter of the U. S.
    Habitat: Swamps and floodplain forests.
    NWI status: FACW
    Comment: Cornus is derived from the Latin word for horn, referring to the hard wood; foemina is an obscure reference to "female", perhaps because the plant is smaller and more slender than other dogwoods.

    Distribution in Oklahoma:

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    Last update: 9/9/99
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