Etymology: Cornus: Latin cornu for "horn," probably referring to the hardness of the wood
Plants: perennial, 3' - 10' tall shrub; stems smooth, reddish-purple
Leaves: stalked, opposite, ovate to lance-like, whitish below, 1"-5" long
Flowers: white, 4-parted; inflorescence a 1"-2" flat, branched cluster (cyme); blooms June-July
Fruits: white-blue berry
Habitat: moist
Conservation Status: Native - potentially invasive

- Leaves with 5-6 lateral veins per side

- Upper leaf surface with short appressed hairs and/or softer, longer, wavy hairs

- Bark green but turning red in the fall

- Fruit (drupes) white

- Pith white

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = FACW WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Wetland Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada" Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada" Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation