CORNACEAE - Dogwood Family
Trees and shrubs, rarely
perennial herbs
Leaves opposite, less commonly
alternate, simple
Flowers bi- or unisexual, actinomorphic, small infl. often subtended
by showy bracts. The showy
structures on Cornus florida above are bracts that are located
beneath (subtend) the inflorescence of many small flowers.
Fruit a fleshy drupe or berry
Seed with endosperm
11 genera, 100 species, largest genus is Cornus
Economic importance - ornamentals - Cornus
and Aucuba
Medicinal uses - root-bark tea for malarial fevers, diarrhea,
poultice for ulcers, twigs used as chewing sticks but their use can
cause receding gums.
Diagnostic characteristics - trees or shrubs, simple leaves with
curved veins
IMAGE GALLERY
FLOWERING
PLANT GATEWAY