| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Eudicots-Basal Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Cornaceae + Nyssaceae
Family Common Name: Dogwood Family
Genera: Cornus, Nyssa |
Defining Features: Most of
the plants in this family can be identified vegetatively by its Y or T-shaped
hairs and often with entire leaf margins.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers either bisexual or unisexual and actinomorphic. Plants
are monoecious or dioecious. Their compact inflorescences are determinate,
terminal in compound cymes, sometimes paniculiform or corymbiform, or of
involucrate heads. Flowers have small calyx. Ovaries are inferior with
axile placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit a drupe
or samara. Vegetative Features: Habit as trees, shrubs, and sometimes herbs.
Leaves are alternate or opposite, and simple. Estipulate.
Distribution: Widespread,
especially in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Economic Use: Widely cultivated
as an ornamental shrubs and trees, due in part to the distinctive red stems
of the dogwoods, which provide 'winter interest' to landscaped yards. The
autumn colors of the leaves are especially brilliant in some species of
this family. Some species are used as a source of furniture wood, while
the French distill a drink from the fruits. Some are grown for their bark
and edible fruits, the tupelo.
Number of Genera Globally:
13
Number of Species Globally: 130
