Dogwoods

Dogwoods are one to three genera (depending on botanical interpretation) of deciduous shrubs and trees in the family Cornaceae.

• (Sub)genus Cornus (Cornels; 4 species)
  • Cornus chinensis (Chinese cornel). China.
  • Cornus mas (European Cornel or Cornelian-cherry). Mediterranean.
  • Cornus officinalis (Japanese cornel). Japan.
  • Cornus sessilis (Blackfruit cornel or Blackfruit dogwood). California.

• (Sub)genus Benthamidia (Flowering dogwoods; 5 species)
  • Cornus capitata (Benthamidia capitata; Himalayan flowering dogwood). Himalaya.
  • Cornus florida (Benthamidia florida; Flowering dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus kousa (Benthamidia kousa; Kousa dogwood). Japan & (as var. chinensis) China.
  • Cornus nuttallii (Benthamidia nuttallii; Pacific dogwood). Western North America.
  • Cornus urbaniana (Benthamidia urbaniana; Mexican dogwood). Mexico.

• (Sub)genus Swida (Dogwoods; about 20 species, including)
  • Cornus alba (Swida alba; Siberian dogwood). Siberia & China.
  • Cornus alternifolia (Swida alternifolia; Alternate-leaf dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus controversa (Swida controversa; Table dogwood). East Asia.
  • Cornus glabrata (Swida glabrata; Brown dogwood or Smooth dogwood). Western North America.
  • Cornus macrophylla (Swida macrophylla; Large-leafed dogwood). East Asia.
  • Cornus racemosa (Swida racemosa; Gray dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus rugosa (Swida rugosa; Round-Leaf dogwood). Eastern North America.
  • Cornus sanguinea (Swida sanguinea; Common dogwood). Europe.
  • Cornus stolonifera (Swida stolonifera; Red-osier dogwood). Northern North America.

It is called "dog" because of its deemed uselessness to human (berries not edible). However, its wood was a highly prized for making the shuttles of looms, for tool handles, and other items that required a very hard and strong wood.