How to identify Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa)

How to identify Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa)

Giant dogwood, also known as Wedding cake tree

Giant dogwood dazzles as a medium to tall tree, recognizable for its unique, wide-spreading, and picturesque growth form. One can easily spot its tiered horizontal branches, giving it a striking layered appearance. The elliptic leaves, glossy dark green above with a contrasting silvery-green on the underside, are arranged alternately—a notable trait within its genus. Each spring, giant dogwood bursts into a display of creamy-white flowers arranged in dense clusters, followed by the production of small, bluish-black drupes by late summer, each typically under 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Giant dogwood

Wide-spreading tiered branches

Elliptic leaves with dark green upper and silvery-green underside

Creamy-white flowers in dense clusters

Small bluish-black drupes under 1 inch (2.54 cm)

Horizontal branching creating a tiered effect

Detailed Traits of Giant dogwood

Leaf Features

Giant dogwood leaves are alternate and simple, typically ranging from 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) in length. The upper surface is dark green, while the underside is a contrasting silver-green. During fall, the leaves may turn from pale greenish-yellow to reddish-purple. They exhibit a smooth texture and a characteristic vein pattern that aids in their identification.

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Flower Features

The flowers of giant dogwood are small, creamy-white, and appear in late spring (May-June). They are arranged in flattened clusters (cymes) that span 3-7 inches (7.5-17.5 cm) wide, creating a visually striking display. Each individual flower, though tiny, collectively forms a showy ensemble. The petals are delicately structured, contributing to the flattened and expansive nature of the clusters.

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Stem Features

The stem of giant dogwood is green, displaying a smooth texture in younger shoots, which can become somewhat rougher with age. It typically features a thickness of about 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) at full maturity. The branching pattern is notably horizontal, creating a tiered effect which is a distinguishing characteristic. This horizontal branching can occasionally result in a zigzag appearance. The green color often persists, even as the stem matures, and small lenticels may be visible.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of giant dogwood is a round, fleshy drupe with a bluish-black hue, offering a striking contrast against the foliage. Each fruit is modest in size, typically measuring less than 0.5 inches (about 1.27 cm) in diameter, resembling small berries. These drupes grow in clusters and have a smooth, somewhat glossy surface that may attract various wildlife, including birds and small mammals, due to their color and accessibility.

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Giant dogwood and Their Similar Plants

Kousa dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

The kousa dogwood is known for its ornamental appeal. The showy flowers and bark, as well as the lovely fall foliage, make this vase-shaped tree a great addition to your patio, yard, or lawn. The tree matures to about 9 m high and is often just as wide.

Flowering dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small North American tree renowned for its wide canopy and plentiful spring blooms. Individual white or pink “flower” is actually a flower head that contains four oval bracts and a cluster of tiny yellow true flowers. Because of its decorative canopy, prolific spring blooming, and attractive red autumn leaves and berries, it is the most popular native tree in US gardens.

Red osier dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Red osier dogwood is a thicket-forming shrub with attractive dark red winter stems. This plant produces yellow flowers in early summer and fruit late in the fall. Over ninety-eight species of birds rely on this plant for food or shelter. Native Americans used red osier dogwood branches to weave baskets.

Common dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

The common dogwood tree contains some of the toughest wood of any tree. As a result, it is said that the cross used to crucify Jesus Christ was built from this. The pollen in the blossoms of this plant attracts butterflies, and the berries attract birds. It is typically planted as an aesthetic plant and is utilized for borders, hedges, or screens.

Cornelian cherry vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Cornelian cherry (*Cornus mas*) is a flowering deciduous shrub native to Central Europe, Southern Europe, and Western Asia. While this species' ripe fruit is edible, the unripe fruit has a harsh, astringent taste and should not be consumed. Unlike most other types of wood, the wood from this species is dense enough to sink in water.

Siberian dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba) is a perennial flowering shrub best known for its red bark that makes a beautiful display when the tree loses its leaves in winter. It produces small but showy white flowers from spring to summer. Berries appear late summer and ripen in fall. Plant in full sun for best color in moist but well-drained soil.

Roughleaf dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to eastern North America. The genus name comes from the Latin word “Cornu,” which means horn. This is because the wood is so dense and strong. The specific epithet “drummondii” is an homage to Thomas Drummond, a Scottish botanist. He spent considerable time in America collecting plant specimens.

Silky dogwood vs. Giant dogwood: What's The Difference?

Silky dogwood (*Cornus amomum*) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. Underneath the leaves and twigs, you’ll find silky hairs—hence the name. Native Americans referred to it as 'kinnikinnick,' which means 'smoking mixture,' because they smoked it like tobacco. White flowers bloom forth in the spring. They are followed by blue fruit that birds love to snack on.

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Key Facts About Giant dogwood

Attributes of Giant dogwood

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

11 m to 14 m

Spread

15 m

Fruit Color

Black

Blue

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Giant dogwood

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Dogwoods, hydrangeas, and allies

Family

Dogwood

Genus

Dogwoods

Species

Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa)

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Distribution Map of Giant dogwood

Giant dogwood, native to Eastern Asia, thrives in temperate climates across the region. It is notably present in areas spanning from the Himalayas to temperate East Asia. In addition to its native range, giant dogwood has been successfully introduced and cultivated in various parts of the world, adapting to similar climatic conditions found in its region of origin.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Giant dogwood

A Comprehensive Guide to Giant dogwood How to Grow and Care for Giant dogwood