How to identify Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa)
Kousa dogwood, also known as Kousa, Chinese dogwood
Kousa dogwood is a striking deciduous tree known to reach a mature stature of about 30 feet (9 meters) in height. Its distinctive bark peels away in patches, blending shades of tan and brown. In the late spring, the tree is adorned with creamy, white, pointed bracts, encircling clusters of inconspicuous flowers. By late summer and fall, it bears reddish to pink fruit, botanically classified as drupes. The foliage of kousa dogwood is lustrous dark green and undergoes a dramatic transformation to reddish-purple or scarlet tones come autumn.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Bark peels in tan and brown patches, evolving with age for distinctive mottled effect.
Creamy white bracts in late spring, nearly covering tree, surrounding inconspicuous flowers.
Reddish-pink drupes, 1-1.5 inches in diameter, encasing yellowish-orange interior with lengthy stalk.
Dark green glossy leaves, oval-shaped, turning reddish-purple to scarlet in fall.
Smooth, upright stem starts purple/green, matures to light brown, with symmetrical branching.
The leaves of kousa dogwood are opposite, simple, and oval-shaped with entire margins. They measure 2.5 to 4 inches (6.35 to 10.16 cm) long and 2 to 2.5 inches (5.08 to 6.35 cm) wide. The surface is shiny and dark green, while the underside is paler with tufts of golden brown hairs at the petiole base. Fall foliage turns reddish-purple to scarlet. In the 'Greensleeves' variety, leaves are glossy, slightly wavy, and pointed with prominent pale-green venation.
Kousa dogwood features showy bracts that are white to slightly yellowish-white, measuring 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) long. These bracts surround a small cluster of inconspicuous, true flowers. Blooming in late spring, the bracts can nearly cover the entire tree, creating a stunning display. The flowers themselves are tiny and less noticeable, but the large, petal-like bracts are key identifying features.
The stem of kousa dogwood starts off thin and varies in color from purple to green. As it matures, it develops a light brown hue. Initially, the stem is smooth with a delicate texture, becoming slightly rougher with age. It displays an upright growth habit, branching out in a symmetrical pattern. The stems can reach up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, providing stability for the plant's overall structure.
The fruit of kousa dogwood is a distinctive round drupe, ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in diameter, with a light red to pink hue. It bears a succulent yellowish-orange interior, encasing a single stone. Notably, the stalk is quite lengthy, about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) long. These fruits typically reach maturity in the later part of summer through to early autumn, transforming in hue and may display a pointed shape, particularly in the 'Greensleeves' variety, where the fruit can also appear green.
Scan QR code to download
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Identify a Plant Online
Scientific Classification of Kousa dogwood
