kousa

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese dogwood
• kousa
• kousa dogwood
• Chinese Dogwood
• Korean dogwood
• Snow Tower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Benthamia kousa
• Benthamia japonica
• Dendrobenthamia japonica
• Benthamidia japonica
• Cynoxylon japonicum
• Cynoxylon kousa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cornus kousa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring long-term survival through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the plant functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its buds well above the ground level to withstand seasonal changes. Additionally, its growth architecture can be classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its development as a woody shrub or small tree that establishes a persistent, perennial presence within its ecosystem.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cornus kousa is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climber or liana tendencies, nor does it function as an obligate or facultative epiphyte, instead maintaining a terrestrial existence. The plant is an independent species, lacking any parasitic tendencies toward other vegetation. Its physical structure is defined by its woody tissue, which provides the necessary stability for its upright, tree-like habit in its natural terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cornus kousa is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common adaptation among temperate deciduous woody species that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. Through this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, typically occurring within the mesophyll cells of the leaves. This metabolic process is closely integrated with the plant's seasonal phenology, where gas exchange and photosynthetic activity are highly regulated by transpiration rates and light availability. To support its physiological demands, the plant manages water potential and nutrient transport through a complex vascular system, ensuring that the products of photosynthesis are efficiently translocated to developing tissues, including the woody biomass and the characteristic fruit.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cornus kousa is characterized by a specialized dispersal strategy and specific seed morphological traits. The plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to distribute its seeds, which is facilitated by its fleshy fruit type. The seeds themselves exhibit a notable range of physical dimensions, with volumes varying from a minimum of 36 mm³ to a maximum of 140 mm³, maintaining an average seed volume of approximately 74.67 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are relatively lightweight, ranging from a minimum of 0.02886 g to a maximum of 0.2 g, with a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.0695 g. These characteristics collectively define the plant's reproductive efficiency and its ecological interaction with animal dispersers.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.2 g

Seed mass mean:

0.06951321 g

Seed mass min:

0.02886 g

Seed volume max:

140 mm³

Seed volume mean:

74.6666666666667 mm³

Seed volume min:

36 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cornus kousa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fruit

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Cornus kousa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Cornin, Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, Ursolic acid.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cornin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ursolic acid

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Cornus kousa has 1 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem and leaf.

Stem and leaf

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR