Cornaceae

Cornaceae, commonly known as the dogwood family, is a small family of flowering plants in the order Cornales. It comprises mainly woody plants—shrubs and small to medium-sized trees—distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and into tropical areas in Asia and the Americas. The greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia and North America.

Morphology and characteristics are typical of many woody angiosperms: leaves are opposite and simple, with entire to finely serrate margins and arcuate venation. Flowers are usually arranged in cymes and are often small and inconspicuous. In several genera, especially the well-known dogwoods (Cornus), the showy appearance comes from four large bracts that surround a cluster of tiny true flowers. The fruit is typically a drupe or berry, often bright and attractive to birds. Wood in many species is hard and dense, and some dogwoods are valued ornamentally for their seasonal color and form.

Systematics and diversity: the best-known genus is Cornus (dogwoods), which includes numerous ornamental species as well as native shrubs and trees. The family is part of the order Cornales and has a distribution that includes temperate regions worldwide, with some tropical representatives. Taxonomic treatment varies, and some classifications recognize a small number of additional tropical genera within Cornaceae in broader circumscriptions.

Ecology and uses: many species are cultivated as ornamentals for flowers, foliage, and winter bark or fruit interest. Some species play important roles in native ecosystems as food sources for wildlife. The group is occasionally affected by diseases such as dogwood anthracnose in certain regions, impacting wild and cultivated populations.