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Cornus nuttallii - Audubon.

Common Name Mountain Dogwood, Pacific dogwood, Western Dogwood
Family Cornaceae
USDA hardiness 6-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Usually found in moist well-drained soils in the shade of coniferous trees to 1800 metres[82].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California and east to Idaho.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cornus nuttallii Mountain Dogwood, Pacific dogwood, Western Dogwood


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Cornus nuttallii Mountain Dogwood, Pacific dogwood, Western Dogwood
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Cornus nuttallii is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

The fruit is possibly edible[177]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200] and has a thin, mealy flesh[82].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiperiodic  Febrifuge  Laxative  Malaria  Tonic

The bark is antiperiodic, cathartic, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[46, 61, 118, 257]. An infusion is used as a quinine substitute in the treatment of malaria[46, 118, 226]. The infusion has also been used in the treatment of stomach complaints[257]. Externally, it is used to treat ulcers[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Dye  Tannin  Wood

An intense brown dye is obtained by boiling the bark[257]. The bark is rich in tannin and has been used as a preservative[257]. The long slender branches have been used in making baby baskets[257]. Wood - exceedingly hard, heavy, strong, close grained. It is used for tool handles, cabinet making etc[46, 61, 82, 118].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Specimen, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[1], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[200]. Another report says that it does not thrive in poor chalky soils[182]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[188]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[184], but they require long hot humid summers in order to promote good growth[200]. A very ornamental tree[1], but it is usually short-lived in Britain and does not do well in the north of this country[11]. There is some evidence to suggest that trees grow better on poor soils and can be killed by too much kindness. A very good tree has been seen on a poor gravel soil[182]. Closely related to C. florida[226]. This species is the floral emblem of British Columbia[226]. A number of named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[80, 113]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[80, 164]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[164]. Scarification may also help as may a period of about 3 days warm stratification at 15°c before the cold stratification[80, 164]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[164]. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[78]. Layering of new growth in June/July. Takes 9 months[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia), United States (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Audubon.

Botanical References

1182200

Links / References

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