large-leafed dogwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Large-Leaf Dogwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thelycrania macrophylla
• Swida macrophylla

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cornus macrophylla is characterized by its preference for forest environments, where it thrives under the canopy or within forest margins. This species occupies a significant vertical gradient in its native landscape, distributed across an elevational range that begins at 900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal breadth allows the plant to inhabit diverse montane ecosystems, adapting to the varying temperature and moisture regimes found throughout these forest habitats.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Cornus macrophylla is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons to complete its reproductive cycle. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte life forms, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, allowing it to establish a robust, long-lived structural presence in its habitat. This growth strategy enables the plant to develop significant woody biomass over time, ensuring its survival and ability to endure seasonal environmental fluctuations.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cornus macrophylla is characterized by its woody structure and growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semi-aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it grows independently in its environment without being an obligatory or facultative parasite. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its physical structure, lacking the characteristics of a climber, liana, or vine. Its development is defined by its persistent woodiness, which supports its stature as a perennial woody plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cornus macrophylla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism typical of most temperate woody perennials where carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic process involves the initial carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO to form 3-phosphoglycerate. Because it utilizes the C3 pathway, the plant is particularly adapted to environments with moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture, where the energetic costs of carbon fixation are balanced against the risk of photorespiration. Its physiological efficiency is heavily dependent on stomatal conductance to manage gas exchange, ensuring that CO2 uptake is optimized for glucose production while minimizing transpirational water loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cornus macrophylla is characterized by a specific phenological window and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of June, with both the flowering start and flowering end occurring during this time. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruits that contain seeds of varying dimensions. The seeds exhibit a mean volume of 38.5 mm³, with individual volumes ranging from a minimum of 20 mm³ to a maximum of 57 mm³. In terms of weight, the seed mass is consistent, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.05464 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.05464 g

Seed volume max:

57 mm³

Seed volume mean:

38.5 mm³

Seed volume min:

20 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cornus macrophylla has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 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.

1,2,3-trimethoxychromeno[5,4,3-cde][1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]chromene-5,11-dione

1. Journal of computer-aided molecular design

Anthraquinones

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Glycosides

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Saponins

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Cornus macrophylla has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Medicinal Uses

Cornus macrophylla has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetic complications.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations