Cornus macrophylla

Large-leafed dogwood

Cornus macrophylla, commonly known as Pacific dogwood, is a resilient deciduous shrub native to western North America. Renowned for its striking white bracts and lush foliage, this medicinal plant has historically been used in traditional remedies to treat various ailments, offering significant botanical interest and ecological value to woodland ecosystems.

  • Scientific name: Cornus macrophylla
  • Family: Cornaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cornales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cornaceae within the genus Cornus.

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 macrophyllia, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Japanese, it is called クマノミズキ, while in Korean, it is known as 곰의말채나무. It is identified in Arabic as قرانيا كبيرة الورق, and in both Traditional and Simplified Chinese, it is commonly called 梾木 (zh/zh-hans).
Language Common Name Source
ja クマノミズキ Wikidata
ko 곰의말채나무 Wikidata
ar قرانيا كبيرة الورق Wikidata
zh 梾木 Wikidata
zh-hans 梾木 Wikidata
zh-cn 梾木 Wikidata
en large-leafed dogwood Wikidata
zh 丁榔皮 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Russian Far East, its presence can be documented on the island of Sakhalin. Its range extends significantly into Western Asia, specifically within the borders of Afghanistan. Within China, it is found across diverse territories including China North-Central and China South-Central. Additionally, the species reaches a southern extent in the tropical province of Hainan.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
Western Asia Afghanistan WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as the bigleaf dogwood, is a deciduous shrub or small tree where various components may hold ecological significance, though the bark is a primary structural element. The bark of Cornus macrophylla serves as a protective outer layer for the stem and branches, typically presenting a smooth texture in younger specimens that may become more lenticellate or textured as the plant matures. While many species within the Cornus genus have been studied for their chemical properties, the bark of this specific species functions essentially as the vascular support and protective conduit for nutrients throughout the plant's life cycle.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cornus macrophylla has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,2,3-trimethoxychromeno[5,4,3-cde][1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]chromene-5,11-dione, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
1,2,3-trimethoxychromeno[5,4,3-cde][1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]chromene-5,11-dione 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anthraquinones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cornus macrophylla has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cornus macrophylla has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetic complications.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diabetic complications 1 ★☆☆☆☆