Cornus kousa
Kousa
Cornus kousa, commonly known as the Kousa dogwood, is a stunning ornamental tree prized for its elegant white bracts and architectural form. Beyond its aesthetic beauty, this species offers ecological value, providing nutritious berries for wildlife and serving as a resilient addition to temperate gardens and medicinal landscapes.
- Scientific name: Cornus kousa
- Family: Cornaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Cornales and the family Cornaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Cornus, specifically known as Cornus kousa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cornales | WCVP |
| Family | Cornaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cornus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cornus kousa, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In French, it is referred to as Cornouiller du Japon, while in Chinese, it is called 日本四照花. Its names in other languages include dřín japonský in Czech, Asiatischer Blüten-Hartriegel in German, and 산딸나무 in Korean.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Cornouiller du Japon | Wikidata |
| zh | 日本四照花 | Wikidata |
| cs | dřín japonský | Wikidata |
| de | Asiatischer Blüten-Hartriegel | Wikidata |
| ko | 산딸나무 | Wikidata |
| ja | ヤマボウシ | Wikidata |
| pl | Dereń Kousa | Wikidata |
| da | Korea-Kornel | Wikidata |
| uk | Дерен коуса | Wikidata |
| nl | Kousa Dogwood | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several distinct regions of East Asia. Within China, its distribution is quite extensive, stretching from the North-Central areas to the Southeast. It can also be found growing in the South-Central portions of the country. Furthermore, the species reaches into the northern reaches of Inner Mongolia. Beyond mainland China, its habitat extends eastward to include the islands of Japan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| North-Central Pacific | Hawaii | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as the kousa dogwood, possesses several distinct botanical structures that contribute to its medicinal and biological profile. The sturdy stem provides the essential structural support for the tree's growth, while the broad, elliptical leaf serves as the primary site for photosynthesis. When processed into a leaf extract, various bioactive compounds can be concentrated for potential therapeutic applications. Additionally, the tree produces distinctive, bumpy fruits that are often used in culinary and traditional practices, adding another layer of utility to this versatile species.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cornus kousa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include beta-sitosterol, cornin, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cornin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol 3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |