The Wild Garden: Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Cornus sessilis (Blackfruit Dogwood)

Kingdom	:	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	:	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	:	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	:	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	:	Rosidae
Order	:	Cornales
Family	:	Cornaceae – Dogwood family
Genus	:	Cornus L. – dogwood
Species	:	Cornus sessilis Torr. ex Durand – blackfruit dogwood

A most desirable variety, the Blackfruit Dogwood is extremely rare and is native only to California and southern Oregon.

It is hardy from USDA zones 7-10 and thrives in shaded, moist, acidic locations as an understory plant or companion to larger, well-established trees or shrubs. It would be ideal with mature Rhododendrons.

This deciduous "woodlander" grows quickly to 15’ and attains widths of 3-9.’

It has lovely fall foliage and indiscreet butter-yellow to white flowers.

The fruit or berries change from white to orange to black as they age.

Photo below right by Julie Kierstead Nelson and the USDA Forest Service.

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