How to identify Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii)

How to identify Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii)

Roughleaf dogwood typically manifests as a lush, deciduous large shrub or occasionally as a small tree, reaching heights and spreads of up to 16 feet (4.9 meters). Its identification is facilitated by the rough texture and hairy aspect of the dark green leaves on the upper surface, contrasting with softer hairs on the lighter green underside. Come autumn, the foliage transforms to a striking purplish-red hue. In the springtime, roughleaf dogwood is adorned with clusters of creamy white flowers, evolving into white drupes during the late summer to fall period. The proclivity to form dense thickets through root sprouts is another characteristic feature.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Roughleaf dogwood

Rough-textured, hairy leaves with dark green upper and light green underside.

Clusters of creamy white flowers in cymes, each with four petals.

Small, round, white drupes with smooth texture and a single stone.

Opposite branching pattern with green to reddish-brown stems and fuzzy young twigs.

Gray, rough bark with interlocking scales and slender branches with pronounced bumps.

Detailed Traits of Roughleaf dogwood

Leaf Features

The leaves of roughleaf dogwood are green, simple, and range from ovate to elliptical in shape. They are 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) long and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide, with entire margins. The upper surface is rough and hairy, while the lower surface is a lighter green and softly pubescent. In the fall, the leaves turn a purplish-red, making them a distinctive feature for identification.

Leaf Base

Cordate ,

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of roughleaf dogwood bloom from April to June, lasting about 2-3 weeks. They are arranged in clusters at the ends of branches, forming cymes that measure about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) across. Each creamy-white flower is four-petaled and approximately 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) in diameter. These key features make the flowers of roughleaf dogwood distinctive and easily identifiable.

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Stem Features

The stem of roughleaf dogwood is characterized by its green to reddish-brown color, becoming pubescent with age. Young branchlets and twigs are covered with fine hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy texture. Typically, stems of roughleaf dogwood display a gradual thickening as they mature, with older branches assuming a more robust constitution. Varying in thickness, these stems measure roughly 0.2-0.3 inches (5-8 mm) in diameter. The branching pattern is generally opposite, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of roughleaf dogwood consists of small, plump drupes that are round in shape and display a pure white hue. Each of these drupes measures approximately 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters) across, featuring a smooth and fleshy texture. Within the drupe, a singular stone is encased. The fruit's attractive appearance not only catches the eye but also serves as a favored food source for various wildlife, including birds and mammals like squirrels, chipmunks, and black bears.

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Bigleaf hydrangea

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Roughleaf dogwood and Their Similar Plants

Kousa dogwood vs. Roughleaf 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. Roughleaf 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. Roughleaf 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. Roughleaf 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. Roughleaf 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. Roughleaf 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.

Silky dogwood vs. Roughleaf 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.

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

The gray dogwood is an excellent addition to a wildflower or natural garden. Although this shrub is not particularly beautiful, it creates plenty of shelter and food for wildlife. It thrives in almost any type of soil, sunlight or watering conditions. Its dense nature and easy care makes it a great hedge bush.

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Key Facts About Roughleaf dogwood

Attributes of Roughleaf dogwood

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

1.8 m to 4.5 m

Spread

3 m to 4.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Red

Purple

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Roughleaf dogwood

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Dogwoods, hydrangeas, and allies

Family

Dogwood

Genus

Dogwoods

Species

Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii)

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Distribution Map of Roughleaf dogwood

Roughleaf dogwood is native to North America. It is found in woodlands and forests. Roughleaf dogwood is not recorded as invasive or as a noxious weed. It is cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Roughleaf dogwood

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